The high cost of food items has been a major cause of concern for the less privileged in society, as revealed by His Lordship, Most Revd Paulinus Ezeokafor, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese. He expressed his concern while distributing food items worth millions of Naira to over 500 individuals, including widows, destitute, and orphans from different denominations and tribes.
Bishop Ezeokafor expressed his deep sadness at the hardship that people are experiencing and called upon the wealthy to remember the less privileged members of society during Easter and beyond. Along with clothing items and handbags, the food items distributed included 300 tubers of yam, 100 bags of rice, 200 coconuts, 10 bags of 50kg bags of garri, food flasks, transport fares, and other essentials.
The Bishop stated that this gesture is a monthly routine activity of the church within the diocese and that the Easter edition was dedicated to enabling all to celebrate Easter with them. He further encouraged the poor to remain hopeful and not deviate from their faith as a result of poverty in the land, assuring them that things would surely improve at God’s appointed time.
He urged the rich and well-to-do members of society to assist the poor in celebrating Easter, stating that Easter is the time when we reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the hope of every believer. The Bishop acknowledged that the current economic situation has multiplied the challenges confronting everyone in the country, as poverty in the land has increased and the prices of goods have skyrocketed, yet salary earners have not received any increments.
The Bishop passionately prayed that leaders would listen and act urgently to address the ugly situation. He urged everyone to persevere and not allow the situation to make them deviate from the reason for the season. He reminded everyone to hold onto God because He is in control and will surely alleviate their sufferings.
Rev. Fr. Levi Ndubuisi Ukor, the Director, of Justice Development Caritas (JDPC), expressed his gratitude to the Bishop for sustaining the program since he became the Bishop of the Diocese. Ukor praised Bishop Ezeokafor for being a strong pillar and motivation for JDPC, adding that most of their achievements were due to his support.
