Why I was honored with Grand Patron of NCoS – Archbishop Okeke

By Praise Chinecherem

The Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, Most Rev Valerian Okeke on Friday explained why he was conferred with the title of Grand Patron of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) by the leadership of the organization.

He said he had always celebrated his Christmas, Easter and birthdays with inmates of Correctional Centers since his 23 years of episcopacy.

Okeke spoke in Onitsha, Anambra state at the 17th National Conference of Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria (APKMN) themed, “Hope, Faith and Charity in Contemporary Societies”

The Prelate said his impacts in the Correctional Centers, including transformation of both the facilities and inmates informed the decision of the authorities to honor him with the position.

He appreciated individual members of the Knights who have remained supportive to the benevolence, urging them not to relent.

He said, “Since my 23 years as an Archbishop, I’ve spent my Christmas, Easter and birthdays in the correctional facilities with the inmates.

“I love it, and the inmates love it, celebrate and look forward to it because they know they’ll eat, drink, dance and play soccer.

“The cells are now tiled and furnished with television sets that is always recharged. We also fixed fans in their rooms.

“We sank functional boreholes for them to ensure availability of water in the facility. The place is now looking clean and fresh.

“We’re now building facilities they can use as schools as well as skill acquisition centers with six departments and solar panels.

“Those not privileged to attend primary and secondary schools or complete their education can now complete it there.

“All these efforts are to ensure the inmates are treated as humans and to see what being outside looks like and desire to come out. Not to come out, kill and go back. But to come out and live happily with decent lives.

“When the overall General President of Nigeria Correctional Services, an Alhaji, a Moslem heard of these exploits, he sent his people to confirm.

“After the investigation, he and his officers decided to give me an award of grand patron of Nigeria Correctional Services which he said has not been given to anyone alive or dead in Nigeria.”

Reacting on the purported genocide, the Archbishop said the federal government was working hard on what they should do, saying his advice might be viewed as criticisms.

“They’re already being properly advised. Advising them here may not fly or be of much help. It may be only a critique which often isn’t the best way,” he added.

On the nation’s alleged one party state plan, Okeke said, “that doesn’t exist in any civilized world. You go by the global best practices. That’s what we want.

Earlier, National President, APKMN, Comrade Steve Adehi decried the state of the nation’s economy, describing it as worrisome.

He however urged Nigerians, particularly christians to keep hope alive, just as he appealed to government to do the needful to ensure things get better.

“While data released by government shows improvement in the economy, the reality on the ground shows otherwise.

“Nigerians are getting more and more impoverished by government policies than seem to want to take more from the already exhausted poor to service the rich,” he noted.

Adehi who also lamented growing level of corruption, regretted government actions suggesting a country drifting to one party state.

“Opposition members are being coerced into joining the ruling party. This is sad and bad for democracy.

“We urge government to let dividends of democracy not only trickle down but flow to the poor,” he added.

On decongesting the correctional facilities, Adehi disclosed plans by the group to partner with Knights of St Molumba to ensure steady population decline in the facilities.

“Those who have fines to pay, we assist them, those who needs services of lawyers, we provide such services, among other services. We want to make the assistance a continuous one,” he added.

Also speaking, President, APKMN, Onitsha Province, Peter Anazodo said the conference would provide unique opportunity for participants to reflect on the virtues of faith, hope and charity which remained imperative in any society.

He was optimistic that the virtues would assist members explore ways to deepen their service to God and humanity.

“I’m confident that the deliberations and experience sharing will enrich us all and empower us to be better instruments of God’s love in our communities,” he added.