BREAKING NEWS: Catholic priest puts 300 elderly people on N5,000 lifetime salary

ONITSHA—In his bid to better the welfare of the aged persons in his Nkwelle-Ezunaka community, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State, a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, founder and Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, has placed no fewer than 300 elderly people from the community on a lifetime monthly salary per elderly.

This development, according to Rev. Fr. Obimma who is popularly called Fr. Ebube Muonso, by his peers, is to enable the elderly ones in the area to take proper care of themselves during their lifetime.

Among the beneficiaries included Elder Chris Eluemuno, a one-time Chairman of the Anambra State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and members of Nze na Ozo and Ogbuefi society in the area.

The disbursement of an initial payment of the monthly salary of N5,000 to the beneficiaries who are 75 years and above, took place on Wednesday at Afunwa Shopping Mall/Events Centre, Nkwelle-Ezunaka.

According to Fr. Obimma who vowed to sustain the payment from now till his death, “the Bible tells us to support the needy and in John 10:10, Christ said that He came so that you may have life and have it in abundance and I am taking part in the Christ Ministry because Christ himself preached the good news and gave food to the poor people.

“It is always good to take care of the elderly ones. I equally have a special package for their hospital bills, though secretly. I will open an account for them. I have a soft spot for the elderly. I will continue to pay them the salary until I die. I will write it as my 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 further disclosed.

“It is a remarkable venture, I thank the cleric, it shows that our Nkwelle-Ezunaka community has produced a son. I am one of the beneficiaries, as I am 75 years now. It is a commendable venture,” he stated.

Earlier, the President General of Nkwelle-Ezunaka Union, NEU, Chief Willie Okafor, and chair-lady of the community’s IIyom society, Mrs. Iyom Irene, expressed satisfaction with the kind gesture of the Rev. Fr Ebube Muonso and prayed God to BL as him with long life.

Also speaking, the manager of the elders’ salary scheme, Hon. Ubaka Onwuanyi, commended the Priest for coming to the rescue of the elderly and prayed to God to continue to guide and protect him.

In their various remarks, the head of Ogbuefi society, (grand patron) Ogbuefi Willy Ayadike, Chief Christopher Igwenagu, among others, prayed for the cleric and commended him for the kind gesture.