By Ononye VC
The obviousness that inmates of the Federal Custodial Centre,Onitsha(formerly Onitsha Prisons)are the most happy and cared for in partnership with the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha,was further amplified as inmates of the centre last Monday, kicked off sporting activities to herald the 70th birthday of their most cherished benefactor,the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Rev Valerian Okeke who clocks 70 years on October 20th,2023.
The entire atmosphere inside the Custodial Centre was that of joy,excitement and relaxation.
Some of the activities lined up for the anniversary are,football elimination series and Table Tennis.
There is the likelihood of cultural dances and many other side attractions which would be rounded off on the eve of the birthday,19th October 2023.
Last Monday at the start of the activities,a symbolic torch to light up the sporting activities of the 70th anniversary was lit by the secretary to the Archbishop of Onitsha,Rev Fr Emmanuel Onunkwo after the torch was handed over to him by the Deputy Controller of Corrections Onitsha, Mr Michael Benson Anugwa.
In his remarks on behalf of the Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Rev Valerian Okeke,Rev Fr Emmanuel Onunkwo expressed positive sentiments of the Archbishop for welfare of the inmates and the possibility that some of them will come out from incarceration to become better citizens in future.
While declaring the activities officially open at 11:23am,fr Onunkwo informed the excited inmates that while in Lisbon,Portugal for the World Youth Day (WYD),the Archbishop prayed for peace in the South East,the youths and inmates of the Custodial Centre.
Fr Onunkwo on behalf of the Archbishop thanked the Controller and other supporters for organising the event.
Contributing,the Deputy Controller in charge of Onitsha Custodial Centre,Mr Michael Benson Anugwa expressed his desire that the Archbishop’s 70th birthday celebration would be a unique one.According to him, Archbishop Valerian Okeke deserves to be celebrated owing to many positive contributions he has made for upkeep of the inmates for a very long time.
Mr Anugwa was optimistic that the new multi-million Naira state of the art skill acquisition centre erected by the Archbishop inside the Custodial Centre would be commissioned.
Catholic Chaplain of the Custodial Centre,Onitsha,Rev Fr Nnamdi Okpalaugo thanked all who supported the event and especially Archbishop Valerian Okeke for sending his representative.He pointed out that though the activities were an annual event but was being prepared uniquely for the Archbishop’s 70th anniversary.
The first leg of the football elimination encounter series ended 2-1 in favour of A4 Cell,beating their rival the G-Ward Cell.
The official kick-off of the football competition was performed by High Chief Okechukwu Ndukaku.Hon Patrick Okafor of the state House of Assembly and Hon Ezenwa were present on the ocassion while Hon Eddy Ibuzo was represented.The officiating referee was Rev Fr Emmanuel Ugboaja.
Also members of the Maria Consolata Society whose founder the late Rev Fr Umeike was a major sponsor of prison Apostolate,were present.
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