The Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has eulogised Awka diocesan elderly priests, praising their contributions to the church and society at large, while calling on people to always show love to others, especially the elderly ones in the society.

Obi, who visited the Awka Diocesan Priests Welfare Home, Awka, celebrated mass with them and took the reading described the encounter as part of how he has chosen to celebrate the festive period.

He further described as fulfilling “to celebrate the elderly ones who had faithfully served the church and society. It is not only morally binding, but spiritually rewarding, to spend time with them, care for them and tap from their wealth of wisdom and experience.”

Obi who said he loved spending time with the elderly, encouraged the younger ones to always say “thank you” to them for their good roles in societal development.

Recalling his association with the elderly as the Governor of Anambra State, Obi said: “I organised birthday celebrations and/or took care of the likes of Prof James Nwoye Adichie (of blessed memory), Chike Obi, etc. These were elderly people who had invested their youthful ages in making society better. So, I am happy to be celebrating our elderly priests today.”

The former governor who also recalled how he spent close to N40 billion to clear outstanding pension and gratuities owed by successive governments of Anambra state since 1990, said that one of the worst crimes anyone could commit against humanity was heartlessly withholding the benefits due to the elderly, be they pensions, gratuities and so on.

Obi encouraged the priests to continue to live their lives happily, and always thank God for the gift of their old ages.

Appreciating Obi for what he described as extraordinary show of love, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, represented by the Director, Awka Diocesan Priests’ Welfare Home, Rev Fr Emmanuel Udu, said he was not surprised by Obi’s kind gestures, as showing love to people had become Obi’s signature.

Fr Udu encouraged Obi to keep on with his exemplary lifestyle, while praying God to bless him.

One of the resident priests there, Msgr Simon Amateze, expressed his joy at Obi’s show of love. The visibly delighted priest said they would continue to pray for more blessings for Obi.

Other resident priests in the welfare home are Rev Frs Ikem Oliobi, Simon Azuka, Clement Obianozie, Ernest Nwankwor and Victor Egbuachor.

Update news