By Gabriel Chy Alonta
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has donated food items and clothes to over 300 less privileged people drawn across Anambra state.
The presentation was made at the St. Patricks Cathedral, Awka, on Wednesday, during an interface with the vulnerable people.
Orient Daily reports that the beneficiaries cut across all denominations, were given bags of rice, noodles, biscuits, clothes, cash gifts, among others.
Addressing his audience, Bishop Ezeokafor said the gesture was to cushion their hardship, especially during the Christmas celebration, while describing the time as season of love and sharing.
The prelate, who decried the unprecedented hardship facing Nigerians amidst the coronavirus pandemic, called on leaders to judiciously use the resources to improve the lives of Nigerians, especially the less privileged people.
He said, “We are here to celebrate Christmas with the poor people and this programme is non-denominational. This is an activity we used to do every Holy Saturday prior to Easter, but the COVID-19 crisis prevented us this year.
“This is a time of sharing gifts and showing love. Showing love to one another is the highest thing to share. Just like God sent his son, Jesus Christ, so, we too have gathered in the same spirit to show love to the poor among us.
“Our leaders need to be up and doing to improve the conditions of people. This will help to reduce the number of poor in society and take off beggars in the street”.
While thanking well-meaning people who have continued to give generously to the church, the prelate called for more support to the downtrodden in society for improved living condition.
Speaking on the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Ezeokafor, warned that serious precautionary measures be observed, while decrying that many people were playing negligence due to the clement weather and mild cases we had during the first outbreak.
He said the church is watching the intensity of the second wave, and assured that it would not hesitate to apply some measures and modality to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the church.
“COVID-19 is real. Ensure you observe all the COVID-19 precautionary measures to stay protected. Take responsibility, do anything to save your life because self preservation is the most important”, Bishop Ezeokafor advised.
Responding, one of the beneficiaries and mother of eight from Nasarawa State, Rabiu Ali, thanked the benefactor for giving them succour, while praying God to bless the bishop for remembering the poor and beggars.
Another beneficiary, Nneka Esome hailed the bishop for always helping them monthly, and assured that they would continue to pray for him.
Earlier, the coordinator and head of Awka Caritas, Br. MacJulian Onyejegbu, described Bishop Ezeokafor as a blessing to the poor, downtrodden and less privileged in the society, even as he urged him not to rest on his oars.