Joy, dance filled with gratitudes has engulped no fewer than three hundred less privileged persons in Anambra state as the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor showered them with different gift items including cash for Christmas.
The event which took place on Wednesday, 23rd Dec, 2020 at the St Patrich Catholic Church Awka had the beneficiaries, drawn from various denominations and communities across the state.
News echo reports that different items ranging from bags of rice, cartons of noodles, biscuits, clothing materials, cash gifts, among others, where given to them.
Speaking during the interaction, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor noted that the gesture was to cushion their hardship, especially during the Christmas celebration, while describing the time as a season of love and sharing.
The prelate, bemoaned the unprecedented hardship facing Nigerians amidst the coronavirus pandemic, while calling on leaders to judiciously use the resources to improve the lives of Nigerians, especially the less privileged people.
“We are here to celebrate Christmas with the poor people and this programme is non-denominational. This is an activity we used to do every Holy Saturday prior to Easter, but the COVID-19 crisis prevented us this year.
“This is a time of sharing gifts and showing love. Showing love to one another is the highest thing to share. Just like God sent his son, Jesus Christ, so, we too have gathered in the same spirit to show love to the poor among us.
Rabiu Ali, a mother of eight from Nasarawa State, was full of thanks to the benefactor for the gesture, praying God to bless him for remembering them.
However, the Coordinator and Head of Awka Caritas, Br. MacJulian Onyejegbu, described the Bishop as a blessing to the poor, downtrodden and less privileged in the society, urging him to keep on with the good work.
John Emeka, Nneka Esome while thanking his Lordship for his benevolence for always assisting them, assured that they would continue to pray for his wellbeing.
