Praise Chinecherem
The Metropolitan Archbishop, Valerian Okeke has attributed growing cases of kidnapping and other vices, particularly among the youths to forceful takeover of missionary schools in Anambra State.
He said the takeover resulted in exclusion of the church as stakeholders in community building and consequent erosion of values.
The Prelate spoke while hosting former Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka during a luncheon ceremony in which he invites many people across denominations, party affiliations, and religions to interact.
The Catholic Archbishop was reacting to a question posed by Chidoka asking, “what went wrong in our society that a 75-year-old retired ArchBishop can be kidnapped?”
He said, “It is the effect of the 40 years of the forceful takeover of missionary schools. The takeover resulted in the exclusion of the Church as stakeholders in community building and consequent erosion of values”
Chidoka who said he could feel the pain in the Archbishop’s voice said he also granted his wife, Chidinma with an interview as part of her PhD program requirements to evaluate the impact of the school takeover from the church on academic outcomes and moral values: A case Study of Select Secondary Schools in Anambra State.
“We discussed it at length, and he reminded me of my mantra that Uche plus Uchu minus Egwuchukwu is a dangerous combination. I agreed,” Chidoka added.
