BY POLYCARP IFEANYI / ONITSHA
Succour came to elderly people at Nkwelle-Ezunaka community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Wednesday when a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, founder and Spiritual director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, Wednesday, placed more than 300 of them on monthly stipend.
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Also on stipend is the ex-Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the State and former Chief Press Secretary to Ex-governor Jim Nwobodo of old Anambra State, Elder Chris Eluemuno. He retired from the Nigerian Tide newspaper, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
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The payment which commenced immediately at Afunwa Shopping Mall/Events Centre, venue of the event, Nkwelle-Ezunaka attracted virtually all the elderly men and women from 75 years and above.
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According to the Cleric who is popularly called Ebube Muonso, by his admirers, each of the beneficiaries would continue to receive N5,000 monthly stipend would continue until his death.
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Quoting Biblical version to buttress the need to support the needy, the fiery Catholic Priest said, “In John 10:10, Christ said that He came so that you may have life and have it in abundance. I am taking part in the Christ Ministry because Christ preached the good news and gave food to the poor people.
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“It is always good to take care of the elderly ones, I have special package for their hospital bills, though secretly. I will open up an account for them, I have soft spot for the elderly. I will continue to pay them the salary until I die. I will write it as a will.
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“I will open an investment that will be yielding money for the apostolate to the elderly and generation yet unborn. I thank my parents for sending me to school, education is an enabler,” he further disclosed.
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On the youths in the community, he urged them to engage in legitimate business, adding that hard work pays.
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He advised against living life of recklessness, lamenting that some are misled.
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According to him, the countries that need the gospel through him presently to include Australia, Glasgow, California, Turkey and Canada, stressing that they needed him because he has been able to touch so many lives.
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Expressing satisfaction with the kind gesture of the cleric, the ex-Ohanaeze Chairman, Eluemuno, said that, “Ebube Muonso is about forty something years old and remembers those that are 75 and above. I am 75 years old. It was former Governor Peter Obi that first introduced this care for the elders in the State but the scheme fizzled out when he left.
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“It is a remarkable venture, I thank the Cleric. it shows that our Nkwelle-Ezunaka community has produced a son. I am one of the beneficiaries as I am 75 years now. It is a commendable venture,” he stated.
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Earlier, the President General of the community, Chief Willie Okafor and Leader of the Iyom society, Mrs. Iyom Irene, expressed satisfaction with the kind gesture of the Rev. Fr. Ebube Muonso and prayed God to keep him for them.
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According to Chief Okafor, God gave the cleric to the community to assist in both human capital and infrastructural development, urging the youths to emulate him.
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Also speaking, Hon. Ifeanyi Chukwurah Afunwa, owner of the shopping mall, expressed delight with the kind gesture by the Priest and urged the youths to emulate him and honour the aging.
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The Manager of the elders Salary scheme, Hon. Ubaka Onwuanyi, commended the Priest for coming to rescue the elderly and prayed God to continue to guide and protect him.
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In their various remarks, head of Ogbuefi society, (grand patron) Ogbuefi Willy Ayadike, Chief Christopher Igwenagu, among others, prayed for the cleric and commended him for his kind gesture.
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