By Juliana Nwachukwu
Onitsha Country Club, Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area, on April 1 extended love to the less privileged in commemoration of the Lenten period.
The club distributed bags of rice, beans, tubers of yam, toiletries, and other essentials to six destitute homes in Onitsha and it’s environs.
The beneficiaries of the charity include Unizik, Awka visually impaired Students, Sisters of the Needy Fegge, Recdot Ozubulu, Red Cross motherless babies home Onitsha, Community Children’s Homes Otuocha, and Fada Pita Charity International.
Speaking during the event, the President of Onitsha Country Club, Anietonwa Kingsley Ajulufo, emphasized the club’s commitment to charity work, stating that it has been a tradition for the past 20 years. “We must give back to the less privileged. This is like a tradition in this club,” he said.
Ajulufo appreciated the Vice President, Dr. Ikenna Ibeh, the Chairman of the organizing committee and his members for their efforts in making the event a success.
He also thanked the members of the club for their contributions and support, particularly the Patron, Chief John Okafor, (Uzochukwu Mere Ojoto, whom he said has been a major donor to the charity for the past three years.
Dr. Ikenna Ibeh, the Vice President of the club who is also the Chairman of the Lenten Charity Outreach, said that the annual event aims to give to those who will not say thank you.
He emphasized the importance of charity, citing the three pillars of the Lenten season: fast, pray, and almsgiving.
Ibeh said that the planning was very seamless, saying that the the members contributed very well, adding that the members of the planning committee was very cooperative and ever ready to work round the clock to make sure that this day is a reality.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Godwin Elonwa, from St. Pius X Seminary Akwu-ukwu, commended the members of the country club for their kindness, saying that charity covers all multitude of sins.
He urged the gathering to learn how to extend love to each other, noting that the greatest way to get God’s love and blessing is through charity.
The event featured the distribution of gifts to each of the destitute homes, including bags of rice, beans, indomie, cabin biscuit, eggs, tissue paper, yam, sardines, and cash.
Each of the children from the beneficiary homes went home with a lawn tennis ball after refreshments.
Miss Chukwuemeka Onumsinachi, from Sisters of the Needy Fegge, expressed gratitude on behalf of the other homes, praying that God would replenish the pockets of the donors millionfold.
The event was attended by Rev. Fr. Peter Areh, who led the opening prayer, and Rev. Fr. Jose Maria Onyechi, who prayed for the everlasting peace in the families of the donors and asked God to reward them accordingly.
Juliana is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
