By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
As part of events to celebrate his 70th birthday, the Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace Most, Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke has visited some Hospitals in Onitsha, Anambra State and settled Hospital bills for some patients who have been discharged but they could not pay their bills.
During the visit, Archbishop Okeke also prayed fervently for the quick recovery of other patients who are Still at the Hospital bed as well as counselled them.
Recall that Archbishop Okeke equally on October 20, 2023 which was the actual date of his birthday celebrated with the inmates at the Federal Correctional centre Onitsha during which he presented assorted food items and other materials to them as well as commissioned skills acquisition centre which he built for the inmates.
According to the Chancellor of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Prudentus Emeka Aroh, he disclosed that the Prelate would in no distant time feed about 2,300 indigents and less privileged ones both Catholics, Angelica, Pentecostal, pagans and Muslims across Onitsha region.
During the visit of Archbishop Okeke, total number of 13 patients benefited from Millions of Naira he paid in different Hospitals which included, 4 patients from Iyienu Hospital Ogidi of the Diocese on the Niger Anglican communion, 4 patients from St. Charles Borromeo Specialists Hospital, Onitsha, and 5 patients from Federal Medical Center Onitsha respectively.
Praying for the patients, Archbishop Okeke reminded them that there is no sickness which God cannot cure, adding that since God could raise a dead person, He would as well cure sickness of any kind.
“Is any sick among you?. Let him call for the elders of the Church and let them pray over him ( James 5:14-16). May the almighty God forgive your Sins and grant you people good health and quick recovery. I pray for you people to recover quickly and go back to your respective homes. Hospital is not a dwelling place” Archbishop Okeke prayed.
In their separate appreciations, the Hospital administrator, Iyienu Hospital Ogidi, Canon Tochukwu Okwuchukwu poured accolades to the Archbishop Okeke and commended him for remembering patients in the Hospital.
He hinted that sickness has no denomination, which according to him could inflict anybody, even as he wished Archbishop Okeke good health and long life on his birthday.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of St. Charles Borromeo Specialists Hospital, Onitsha, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Izunna Okonkwo also praised Archbishop Okeke for his care to humanity and prayed God to bless him abundantly.
Equally, the Medical Director, General Hospital Onitsha now Federal Medical Center Onitsha, Dr. Eberechukwu Anugwu said that she was grateful to the Archbishop Okeke for remembering patients in the Hospitals.
Among the Archbishop Okeke’s entourage during the visit included; Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese Chancellor, Very Rev Fr.. Dr. Prudentus Emeka Aroh, Vice Chancellor and Health services coordinator of Onitsha Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Basil Ekwunife, Vicar General Onitsha Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Johnbosco Okafor, Onitsha Archdiocese financial controller, Rev. Fr. Philip Ibeneme, Onitsha Archdiocesan director of communication Rev. Fr. Dr. George Adimike, Director of CWO Onitsha Archdiocese, Lady Ngozi Nwanosike amongst others.
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