The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. (Dr) Calistus Onaga, has decried the rate of shedding of blood especially politically motivated killings in the Southeast zone, urging the perpetrators to retrace their steps.

He warned that those engaging in such unholy acts will never go unpunished as they must face the consequences and wrath of God.

He maintained that no matter the level of acrimony or quarrel, no one has the right to terminate the life of another, which he or she cannot create.

Onaga, spoke on Sunday while delivering a sermon during the thanksgiving mass as part of the empowerment programme of the Senator representing Enugu East Senatorial Zone, Kelvin Chukwu, at the Holy Ghost Cathedral Enugu.

The Cleric particularly expressed dismay over the brutal murder of the Senatorial candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Senatorial election in the state, Barrister Oyibo Chukwu that led to the emergence of his younger brother and the incumbent  Senator,  Kelvin Chukwu as well as the murder of the chairman of Ogbete Market Traders Association, Stephen Aniagu, among other killings.

Taking his sermon from the book of Mark chapter 13 vs 24 to 32, the Bishop urged Christians to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and forgiveness, stressing that every human being must give account of his sojourn on earth hence the need to keep the commandments of God.

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, let us always know that one day, every one of us will die, and we do not know the hour or day,” he said.

“This is a period of reconciliation and going back to God. May God teach us forgiveness it is difficult to forgive, the end will come, and may we be conscious of this.

“Our life is short but to make it into eternity we must be a vicious man and I hope beneficiaries should use the thing and help others and use it as a source of living, if Good has been returned to you, try to do Good to others.”

Speaking at the distribution of the empowerment items at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus INEC, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Ben Nwoye, expressed sadness that the late Oyibo Chukwu was assassinated in cold blood during the 2023 electioneering process.

Nwoye, the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Enugu State, who began his remark with a call for the observation of a minute silence for the late Oyibo Chukwu, described the empowerment gesture as “true representation and democracy in action.

“I’m here to promote good governance. we are not here to talk about political party, am a member of APC and my brother  Senator Kelvin Chukwu is a member of the Labour Party. So, what I have come here to do is to promote good governance.”

Nwoye therefore challenged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items, saying it would be the only way to encourage the donor to do more.

In his speech, Senator Chukwu expressed appreciation to members of the National Assembly who had come to show him solidarity.

The Senator assured the people of his senatorial district of quality representation.

He said as a lawmaker he does not have the power to embark on capital projects but would continue to do his best in attracting constituency projects to alleviate the suffering of his people.

“I want to assure you that what you are seeing today is just the tip of the iceberg, adding  that since assumption of office, he has touched the  lives of the people of his senatorial district,” he said

 Chukwu said he has been able to attract several facilities in various areas, such as electricity, health, roads, and other projects for the people of his zone.

The Senator, however, urged those yet to benefit to exercise patience with him, assuring that it would go round.

Also, the Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umesh, commended Senator Chukwu for the empowerment programme, thanking members of the Enugu senatorial zone for the support given him.

All the members of the federal House of Representatives from Enugu State under the platform of the Labour Party present at the event applauded Senator Chukwu for providing democracy dividends to the people who gave him the mandate to serve in the Senate.

Amongst beneficiaries of the empowerment items were 25 persons with special needs who smiled home with a brand new grinding machine.

Items distributed to the Enugu East senatorial district were, Sowing machines, grinding machines, motorcycles, refrigerators, and fertilizer, among others.