By Nna Anulumadu
The Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpalaeke, has called on the Senator representing Anambra South, Emmanuel Nwachukwu, to take a firm stand against the persecution of Christians across Nigeria.
The appeal was made during a Thanksgiving Mass and interactive session with members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the senatorial district. The event was organised by the senator to express gratitude for his electoral victory.
Cardinal Okpalaeke expressed concern over what he described as the growing and alarming level of persecution faced by Christians in various parts of the country. He stressed that public office holders, especially those who share the Christian faith, have a responsibility to defend the vulnerable and speak against violence.
According to him, Senator Nwachukwu’s role goes beyond representing political interests, as he also carries a moral and spiritual obligation to serve God and the people.
Senator Emmanuel Nwachukwu, the incumbent senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone and the first democratically elected senator ever produced by APGA since the inception of the party in Anambra State, in his own speech assured the people of the senatorial zone that he will give them quality and result-oriented representation that will attract the much-desired infrastructural and human development to the zone.
He revealed that in just six months he has chosen not to wait but rather chosen to act by drawing national attention to the deplorable condition of critical federal roads that connect numerous communities in the zone and drive the economy of the people of the senatorial zone, particularly the Onitsha–Owerri road axis and the Okija Spur–Ihembosi–Ukpor–Ebenator–Ezinifite road corridor, including the collapsed bridges along the route which have severely disrupted movement and economic activities across communities.
Going further, he also stated that he has engaged the power sector with urgency and is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Power, EEDC, and other critical stakeholders across the senatorial zone to ameliorate the power problem.
On erosion, he explained that he is standing with the people of the senatorial zone in time of distress to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the devastating erosion challenges affecting communities across the senatorial zone, with a bid to facilitate necessary intervention processes as well as help victims of tragic fire outbreaks across the zone.
Earlier, during a homily at the Thanksgiving Mass presided over by Cardinal Okpalaeke of Ekwulobia Catholic Diocese — attended by Barr. Sly Okenwa, APGA National Chairman; Chief Emeka Sibeudu, former Anambra Deputy Governor during the administration of former Governor Mr. Peter Obi; Chief Okeke Ogene, former Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo; and other APGA bigwigs in the senatorial zone — Cardinal Okpalaeke, while applauding Senator Nwachukwu for standing firm in his faith in God as well as remembering to thank God for what He has done for him, urged him to remain focused and courageous to serve the people with humility.
Said the Cardinal to him: “Don’t disappoint the people because they have a great expectation that you will serve them. Always be a servant-leader. Always make God your anchor as He is there to guide you.”
Adding their voices, Chief Emeka Sibeudu, former Anambra Deputy Governor; Chief Okeke Ogene, former Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo; as well as other APGA stalwarts who spoke, all commended Senator Nwachukwu for his humility and his performances so far in the Senate, noting that he is doing well and should be encouraged to do more.
