By Uzoma Ekweaga
Anambra State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Pauly Onyeka has emphasized the need for Christians to always demonstrate the virtues of Christianity by helping the less privileged in the society .
Commissioner Onyeka said this recently at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Egbema Ozubulu , Ekwusigo LGA of Anambra State while on his mission work .
According to him, “as a member of the Catholic faith, it is your responsibility to extend support and assistance to the poor members of the parish and the society at large, just as it was instructed by Christ in Matthew 25:35 (KJV): “For I was an hungry and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in. Naked, and ye clothed me…”
He said that his family over the years have been going on mission work but because of the serious hunger in Nigeria this year , they have decided to empower closed to 200 small scale traders via monetary provision by friends of the family .
He also used the occasion to call on some wealthy parishioners to assist others.
“You should look around at your various neighborhoods and communities to know those in need and extend help to them no matter how little because you must not be as wealthy as Dangote before you can render help to the poor.
“In Igboland, anybody who does not care about his brother is a bad person. As Christian, we must be our brother’s keeper.
“Charity work is not only building of churches, schools or buying car for somebody. Although l did not say it is not good, but those little little things you do are the things that will take you to heaven,” he said .
He condemned the situation where people throw away left over foods, saying “we should give to those who cannot afford it considering the level of poverty ravaging the country as at today.
” You can do it once a month or thrice a year. Sometimes, you may think that you are foolish; no, you are not. If you’re wise, you will not enter heaven. Don’t be like the scribes and pharisees who are wise.”
Hon Onyeka acknowledged efforts made by the parish priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Basil Ofordile in constituting a committee already handling members’ problems, noting that they will hand over the money to them to enable them become self reliant.
In his vote of thanks, the parish priest, Rev.Fr. Ofordile noted that the parish has helped 18 persons with a token of N10,000 every month , while over 50 indigent students are under scholarship being handled by the committee .
