Clerics urge sacrifice to overcome insecurity, unemployment

Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, Valerian Okeke, has called on Nigerians to increase in faith and pray against insecurity and unemployment in the country.

In the same vein, the President, Christ Miracle Church Mission (CMCM), Peter Adebisi, has called on Nigerians to emulate Jesus Christ’s sacrificial life for the redemption of mankind and, therefore, live a life of impacting on the less privileged.

While Okeke spoke at the Easter Mass he celebrated for inmates in Onitsha, Adeoti spoke at the unveiling of Christ Ambassadors’ Education Endowment Fund (CAEEF) in Lagos.

According to Okeke, faith and prayer are required to also push through the raging lawlessness and ethnic bigotry, among others, which have painted an unwholesome picture of the national ethos.

While celebrating Mass at Onitsha Correctional Centre, yesterday, he revealed that the Skill Acquisition Centre he built for soap making, tailoring, welding, computer services and shoe-making has got the nod of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for its fencing.

In his homily, the cleric described human life on earth as a journey of faith. Continuing in his Easter message entitled ‘In Faith And Prayers, We Move’, he described faith as man’s response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man, and at the same time bringing man a supernatural light as he searches for the ultimate meaning of his life.

His words: “In our world today, especially in our country, Nigeria, where so many things are far from what they are expected to be, one needs faith to move on without stumbling.

“Where there are so many unfulfilled promises, insecurity, lawlessness, joblessness, disregard for due process and many more, one needs faith to draw near to God, believe that he exists and rewards those who seek Him in accordance with his will.”

Responding Anambra State Controller of Prisons, Pat Chukwuemeka, appreciated the bishop for his benevolence, “which will go a long way in ensuring empowerment of inmates with necessary skills for self-reliance and nation-building.” He advised the inmates to appreciate the cleric’s gesture by turning a new leaf outside the prison walls.

Adebisi made the call at the CMCM Christ Ambassadors’ Fellowship Week 2023 with the theme ‘Occupy till I come’ at Ikeja, Lagos. Highpoint of the celebration was the unveiling of CAEEF.

According to the Chairman, Christ Ambassadors’ Fellowship, Kunle Filani, the CAEEF project, meant to support Adebisi’s philanthropic gestures, would be focusing on full sponsorship of select indigent but gifted children of CMCM. 

The Chairwoman, CAF Week 2023, Adeoti Adejuyigbe, described the CAEEF Project Unveil as an educational empowerment meant to educate and mentor young persons from primary school level to university or vocational level.

“At a time like this in our nation, we intend to uplift and protect such young persons, keep them within the boundaries of God’s love and make them useful members of the society,” she said.

The Chairman, CAEEF Committee, Lekan Abdul, said CAEEF would provide mentorship and guidance to future leaders.