Afrikanwatch award: Christmas gifts should not be limited to food, says cleric

The Vice Provincial Superior, Redemptorist of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Kingsley Onyekuru has made a call to well meaning Nigerians willing to reach out to the less privilege that their giving should go beyond food, cloth donations to the needy but a future that will give them a sense of belonging and be proud to be a Nigerian. Onyekuru made the call at the Saints Michael, Raphael and Gabriel Catholic church, Satellite, Lagos where he was bestowed with the 2017 Afrikanwatch National Patriot (ANP) award, the highest honour in the international online news for his contributions in raising leaders and expanding the Redemptorist communities.

The conferment was coordinated by the Director-general, world peace unity organization international and managing director, trans-world group of companies (Nig) limited, Ambassador Dr. Solomon Oke Eke Solomon (ANP) ,

Meanwhile, in a short lecture delivered by the editor-in-chief of the news outfit, Mark C. Orgu in honour of the awardee, described the superior as a pious priest, perfectionist in religious matters and tolerance; a priest of God and role model to many young priests and others, in fact, an intellectual cum a transformer.

Today, men and women of great reputes, including religious faithful’s have intensified their various testimonies about your leadership qualities and good works, including strong faith in God.

On his part, Ambassador Solomon described the Catholic Church as eyes of the downtrodden and rescuers of the society-that always want better welfare for all sundry. ‘’ I always have confidence on catholic priests and their commitment to serving God, and I believe that if am call upon to support the works of God, I will not hesitate’’ he said.

The Awardee, Fr. Onyekuru while expressing deep appreciation to the magazine, said, “this honour is a sign of God’s love in my life and I will continue to seek the truth and justice. “Every priest supposes to be another Christ and represents everything he stands for. There are challenges, however, a lot of priests have made differences in the society.

He also charged the Christians to use this Christmas season to show love and kindness to the less privilege ones “pur gift should not be limited to food or cloth but look inward and see how the less privilege can provide for themselves. Food will only last for a while but educating them will make them have something that would last forever.

It could be recall that Olorogun Barr. Benson Ndakara, president-general, Orogun Kingdom and president-general, Aragba development union was conferred with same honour in separate function. Others are Pastor Martins Oluwafemi, President, Yaba College of technology Alumni; a communicator, developer and physical planner, west Africa theological seminary (WATS), Lagos,andFwdr. Joseph AdebowaleAtoloye, Managing director/chief executive officer, Waltolye (Nig) limited.