Grand debut of commemoration of 1st World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in Amuzi, Imo State

Amuzi, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria, Sunday July 25, 2021:

A Nigeria-based non-governmental organization, the Professor Celestine Onwuliri Foundation (PROFOUND), collaborating with a US-based counterpart, Eze Cletus and Ugoeze Dorathy Oparaoji Memorial Educational Foundation (ECUDOMEF) has concluded a 2- day celebration of the first “World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly”, on Sunday July 25.  The event was to accomplish the vision of Pope Francis, for what older people, their grandchildren and friends should do to change the world after the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The focus of the program was all about showing the grandparents and the elderly in the communities love and tenderness.

The PROFOUND and ECUDOMEF volunteers, led by Nigeria’s two-times Minister of State for Education and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Professor Viola Onwuliri, accompanied by clergy from St Jude’s Catholic Church, Amuzi, led by Rev. Fr. Paschal Njoku, visited over 100 elderly and/or bedridden persons, in the ten villages of Amuzi-Ahiazu Mbaise (namely, Umuokazi, Umuokoro, Akona-Ojibo, Umuhu-na-Loghocho, Umuofor, Umuowasi, Umunnanwe, Umuodu, Izuoha and Umuochamoko).

The team prayed with them, handed out rosaries, cash, disinfectants, balm, paracetamol and vitamin B complex, buckets , toilet rolls, beddings, detergents, bar soaps, toilet soaps, cooked food, warm clothing and firewood and also assisted with cleaning their surroundings and environment.

The Pope in his message to commemorate the Day acknowledged the suffering, loneliness and fear that many older people experienced during the worst period of the pandemic. He also reminded older Catholics that, like him, they still have a duty to share the faith and care for others. He also granted Plenary indulgence for those who participated in celebrating the day with elderly persons.

The occasion was kicked off with solemn prayers worthy of the epoch event by the Assistant Parish Priest of St. Jude’s Catholic Parish,  Rev. Fr Paschal Njoku who also blessed the gift items. He equally prayed for Grandparents, the elderly and the event sponsors – the families of Prof. Celestine Onwuliri (PROFOUND) and the Oparaoji  Royal Family (ECUDOMEF) for their benevolence and kindness. He also appreciated and prayed for the Holy Father for his wisdom in establishing the Day.

In his comment following the very successful program, the Founder of ECUDOMEF, Professor Eddie Oparaoji said “we must first give all glory to God without whom this event and its fantastic outcome would not have been possible. As it has been observed throughout mankind, God after creation does wonders or miracles indirectly through his creations. The dexterity and tirelessness with which the leader and coordinator of the program and two-time Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Viola Onwuliri successfully handled this event can only be described as an act of God and she deserves all our Thank you!

“Also deserving commendations are Mrs Lucky Njoku assisted by Mrs Uchechi Agomuo and all the volunteers who gave up their other personal and family responsibilities for over one week to plan and flawlessly execute this program. May I, finally on behalf of the sponsors extend appreciation to our elderly persons who without reservations welcomed us into their homes to share warmth and affection. We are very enriched by the experience. May God meet us all at our points of need,” he said.

It must be recalled that the two- day visitation exercise started from the St Jude’s Catholic Church on Saturday July 24 via Umuokazi, Umuokoro, Ako-na-Ojibo, Umuhu-na-Loghocho, Umuofor, Umuowasi and ended at Umunnanwe, then resumed on Sunday, July 25 to Umuodu, Izuoha, and concluded at Umuachamoko.

19 elderly persons were visited at Akon-na-Ojibo, 10 in Umuhu-na-Umuloghocho, 12 in Umuokazi, 12 in Umuochamoko and 12 at Umuokoro.  .

The team also visited nine elderly people at Izuoha, 10 at Umuodu, 11 at Umunnanwe, eight at Umuofor and nine at Umuowasi.

It was an exercise with high impact as the elderly people visited were full of joy and gratitude to the sponsors of the program and the volunteers.