BY POLYCARP IFEANYI / ONITSHA
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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, settling hospital bills of some patients who had been discharged but they could not afford payment.
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During the visit, Archbishop Okeke also prayed fervently for the quick recovery of patients who were still at the hospital bed as well as counselling them.
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Recall that Archbishop Okeke had equally on October 20, this year, which was the actual date of his birthday celebrated with the inmates at the Federal Correctional centre Onitsha.
The Cleric gave the inmates assorted food items and other materials as well as commissioning skills acquisition centre which he built for them.
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According to Chancellor of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Prudentus Emeka Aroh, the Prelate would in no distance time feed about 2,300 indigents and less privileged ones both Catholics, Anglican, Pentecostal, traditional worshippers and Muslims in Onitsha region.
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During the visit of Archbishop Okeke, 13 patients benefited from the 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.
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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.
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” 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.
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In their separate appreciations, the Hospital administrator, Iyienu Hospital Ogidi, Canon Tochukwu Okwuchukwu commended for remembering patients in the hospital.
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He said that sickness has no denomination, could inflict anybody, wishingd the Archbishop good health and long life in his birthday.
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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.
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Equally, the Medical Director, General Hospital Onitsha now Federal Medical Center Onitsha, Dr. Eberechukwu Anugwu said that she was grateful to the Archbishop for remembering patients in the hospitals.
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Among the Archbishop’s entourage during the visit included; Onitsha Catholic Archdiocesan Chancellor, Very Rev Fr.. Dr. Prudentus Emeka Aroh, Vice Chancellor and Heath services coordinator of Onitsha Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Basil Ekwunife, Vicar General Onitsha Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Johnbosco Okafor, Onitsha Archdiocesan financial controller, Rev. Fr. Philip Ibeneme, Onitsha Archdiocesan director of communication Rev. Fr. Dr. George Adimike, Director of CWO Onitsha Archdiocese, Lady Ngozi Nwanosike.
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