From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Founder and Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, in Oyi Council Area of Anambra State, Fr Emmanuel Obimma has placed no fewer than 300 elderly people at Nkwelle-Ezunaka, including an ex-chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo, on monthly stipend.
The payment which commenced immediately at Afunwa Shopping Mall and Events Centre, venue of the event, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, attracted virtually all the elderly men and women from 75 years old and above.
According to the Catholic priest who is called Ebube Muonso, by his admirers, the 300 beneficiaries are placed on N5,000 monthly stipend for life.
“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. It is always good to take care of the elderly ones. I have a 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 stipend until I die. I will write it as a will. 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 said, as he quoted the Bible to support his gesture.”
Ebube Muonso advised youths of the community to engage in legitimate businesses, saying hard work paid instead of living a life of recklessness which he said could mislead them.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the recipients, ex-Ohanaeze chairman, Chris Eluemuno, commended the priests, whom he said was stil in his forties, for remembering those that were 75 and above.
He said he was 75 years old, adding that it was former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State that first introduced the care for the elders ideology in the state, but that the scheme fizzled out when Obi left. President General of the community, Chief Willie Okafor, and chairperson of the Iyom society, Mrs Iyom Irene, expressed satisfaction with the kind gesture of the priest and prayed God to keep him for them.
Ifeanyi Chukwurah Afunwa, owner of the shopping mall, expressed delight with the kind gesture by the priest and urged the youth to emulate him and honour the aged.
Manager of the elders stipend scheme, Ubaka Onwuanyi, com