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| Obiano, Archbishop Okeke worship at Onitsha prison |
Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano and the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke yesterday celebrated their Easter with prison inmates at Onitsha prison. The prisoners and other worshipers, who joined in the service were overwhelmed with joy when the governor stepped into the prison premises for the 8.am service, which was the first time an executive governor of the state would attend an Easter service with the pris oners in Onitsha prison.
As for Archbishop Okeke, he had been a regular celebrant at the prison yard as his Christmas, Easter and birthdays were celebrated at Onitsha prisons.
In his sermon at the largely attended church service, Archbishop Okeke preached peace and love among the people.
He enjoined the prisoners to see their confinement as a necessary experience for their transformation.
The Archbishop said that, virtually all humans were prisoners, pointing out that while some were confined to prison yards, others were outside in the world having their experiences.
According to him, any prisoner of the land must know that he has already been set free by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He expressed joy that in less than two months after he was sworn- in as the governor of Anambra State, Chief Obiano had come to worship and identify with the inmates of Onitsha Prison, an action which he said was significant of great things that would happen in the prison.
Prayers were offered for the prisoners for their early release from prison. He called on the people of Anambra State to always strive to do good, pointing out that the state was endowed with abundance of blessings.
In his short speech, Governor Obiano said that his government had provided food for 1,000 inmates.
In his vote of thanks, the Deputy Controller of prisons in charge of Onitsha, Mr Azuka Ndupu expressed gratitude to the governor and the Archbishop for their concern.
He told the governor that Onitsha prison was highly overcrowded, pointing out that the prison which was meant for about 300 inmates, had 892 inmates.
He appealed to the governor to assist the prison with schools for the inmates where they could receive formal education.
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