Catholic archbishop marks 69th birthday with prison inmates

The Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, yesterday, marked his 69th birthday, celebrating with inmates of the Onitsha Correctional Centre, Anambra State, where he provided no fewer than 800 inmates with cash and food items worth millions of naira to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

The archbishop, whose birthday event was graced by the wife of former governor of the state, Ebelechukwu Obiano, who is the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Anambra North Senatorial District, and APGA candidate for Onitsha North and South Federal Constituency, Edward Ibuzo, among others, advised inmates to turn a new leaf after terms of their imprisonment.

Delivering a homily during the Holy Mass at St. Maximilian Kolbe Chapel, Onitsha Correctional Centre, the archbishop enjoined inmates to put their faith in God, and always pray and hope for a better future.

He told them not to think that being in prison is the worst thing that could happen to anybody since, according to him, their period in prison could serve as a retreat to build their spiritual life.