By Our correspondent
The Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor on Saturday celebrated with no fewer than 500 indigent persons across the state in the spirit of Easter.
The beneficiaries comprising elderly men and women as well as children, including Muslims and non-Igbo resident in the State, received food items which included bags of rice, garri, tubers of yam clothing materials, among others.
Speaking during the distribution, the Prelate said the gesture which had become an annual event, was targeted at alleviating the prevailing economic hardship in the country in the spirit of the season.
He said, “Today’s is Holy Saturday preceding Easter Sunday which reminds us of the resurrection of Jesus which is the hope of every believer.
“As we celebrate, we should also realize that there are those facing difficulties of life, which has been multiplied by the harsh economy.
“Even the rich among us is also affected. If the rich are crying, I wonder what the poor can do? We know we don’t have enough for the crowd, but we want them to appreciate the little we give them.
“We pray God to touch the heart of our leaders and other spirited individuals to extend similar gesture to reduce the sufferings of the poor and downtrodden.”
Director, Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Awka Diocese, Levi Ukor appreciated the bishop for his concerns for the less privileged.
“The bishop mandated that every Easter eve, we should gather the less privileged from every walks of life and celebrate Easter with them. Some are Catholics, some are even Muslims.
“This event has been since the inception of the bishop. From my observation, I discovered that it’s only our diocese that’s doing this. Our prayers is that God will bless him and grant him long life.
“Among the items we’ll be distributing are 100 bags of rice, over 200 tubers of yam, bags of garri, coconuts, clothing materials and food flasks as well as cash sum for their transportation,” he added.
Some of the beneficiaries, Bridget Nwachukwu from Awka, Amina Ibrahim from Niger Republic and Hauwa Okoye from Mina, Niger State showered praises upon the prelate, praying God to bless him.
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