Anambra: Archbishop Marks 70th Anniversary, Hands Over Skill Acquisition Centre To Prisons
By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha
The Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Anambra State, His Grace,Most Rev.Dr Valerian Okeke, weekend commissioned a #70million worth of skill acquisition centre he built for the inmates of Onitsha Correctional Centre, and handed over same to the Controller General, Nigerian Correctional Centre, Mr Haliru Nababa, who was ably represented by his Deputy, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche.
While bestowing an award to the Arch-Bishop, said that the skills acquisition would add value to the inmates.
Reacting to the kind gesture of the Archbishop to the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Mr. Nababa, on behalf of the Nigerian Correctional Centre, honoured the Archbishop with Grand Patron of inmates in Nigeria award.
He noted that the magnanimous act of the Archbishop is unfathomable, saying that he demonstrated it by transforming Onitsha Correctional Service.
His words, “I am highly impressed with what Archbishop Okeke is doing here. He brought a lot of transformation to the Correctional Service. Therefore, I have never seen any person who did such a thing. So, it is my singular honour to award him Grand Patron of the inmates in custody centre in Nigeria”
The Correctional Service boss appealed to public spirited individuals and organizations to emulate Archbishop Okeke and urged the inmates to take advantage of the facilities and turn a new leaf.
In his homily, the celebrant, Archbishop noted that gratitude to God is the greatest sacrifice to offer.
Recall that the Archbishop, who celebrated his birthday with inmates, has made many philanthropic gestures at the center, including rehabilitation of a borehole that supplies water to all the cells, renovated the prison cells, and established a skill acquisition centre where inmates can learn various skills.
His birthday celebration, which is a month-long activity includes visits to several hospitals in Onitsha, where he will pay the bills of patients who are unable to off set their hospital bills.
As part of the celebration, he presented a life cow, killed one cow that was cooked with 10 bags of rice, biscuits, toiletaries, 100 mattresses, 50 bunk beds, cake, among others to the inmates.
Governor Soludo who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Nonye, laid the foundation stone for the secondary school that will be built in the center and commissioned the skills acquisition center built and donated by the Archbishop.
In his remarks, Soludo said he was impressed by the Archbishop’s commitment to helping inmates at the correctional center, adding that the Archbishop’s work was a reminder that everyone deserved a second chance.
Soludo pledged to pay the Nabteb exam fees for 30 inmates who are preparing to write the external examination even as he vowed to install solar panels and inverters to supply electricity to the center, which has a population of 1,125 inmates.
“I am here today to celebrate the Archbishop of Onitsha for his commitment to helping those who are often forgotten,” Soludo said.
The Governor advised the inmates to take advantage of the skills acquisition program at the center so that they can be productive members of society on completion of their tenure.
“I urge you to take the skills acquisition program seriously. When you are released from prison, you can use these skills to build a better life for yourself and your family,” he advised.
Papal Nuncio to Czech Republic Archbishop Jude Okolo, former Governor, Peter Obi, Speaker House of Assembly, Rt Hon somtochukwu Udeze, Secretary to State Government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, Chief of Staff, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, Sen. Victor Umeh, Sen. Tony Nwoye, Sen Chris Ngige, National chairman APGA, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, among others, graced the occasion.
