By Ovat Abeng
His Eminence Cardinal Francis Arinze, on Sunday visited Anambra State for child dedication of Dr. Nelson Obinna Omenugha, Special Adviser to governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo on Youth Development.
It was gathered that the child dedication that took place at St. Paul’s Catholic Church Nnobi, in Idemili South Local Government Area of the State, was also grace by Chieftains of APGA, PDP LP, YESS members, Knights, members of Noble Club Nnobi, Government functionaries and captains of industries include, Protocol officer to governor Soludo, Mr Chinedu Nwoye, Chief Cletus Ibeto, Sir Paul Chukwuma, Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, COOU acting VC, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha, Dr. Mike Omenugha, State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, Commissioner for Economy Planning, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, Transition Committee Chairman of Idemili South, Hon Amaka Obi, her Awka North counterpart, Hon ThankGod Anagor, Anambra State ICT Agency, Mr Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, Aguata Transition Committee Chairman, Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike, Hon Ikenna Ofodeme, Hon. Ebuka Igwe, actor Bob-Manuel, ASWAMA boss, Chief Mike Ozemena, Chief Jude Emecheta, among other well wishers.
In his sermon during the dedication, Cardinal Arinze lauded Dr Omenugha alongside others who still remembered to dedicate their children, prayed and blessing them.
According to him, a lot of people hardly remember to thank God having answered their prayers and only remembers him again when they are facing another challenges in life.
The Eminence while calling on the parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children, adding that children are special gift from God, hence the need for parents to give them adequate care and attention.
He congratulated them and wished the child well in life.
Speaking further on national issues particularly on youth restiveness, Cardinal Arinze, admonished youths to be wary of engaging in any international journey without proper planning.
He noted that every country in the world has its peculiar challenge and that most times what people admire from afar is not as good in reality. According to the Cardinal, many Nigerians are today serving jail terms across Europe for one crime or another. “When I go for prison visitations, I see them. They greet me in a way that shows that they know me. They are in prison serving jail terms in Europe. That is not good,” His Eminence said. This situation, he regretted, is a direct consequence of desperate journeys and unplanned international travel because some people just believe that once they enter Europe, they will pick money from the streets. To guard against this, Cardinal Arinze said young people must be told the truth. “If you travel to Europe or America without a good skill or a good job, you are in trouble and that is why some of our people end up in jail because they go and get involved in one crime or another,” he said.
The Cardinal who lamented that Nigeria’s profile has suffered from the activities of people who engage in desperate journeys, thereby getting into all sorts and in consequence, damaging the country’s image, also said that Nigerians are equally doing well. In several monasteries in Italy and other parts of Europe, only Nigerians presently occupy many of them, among other positive things that he outlined as being done by Nigerians in Europe.
Dr. Omenugha while dedicating his child, Ms Chihotaram Nilsamary Omenugha, appreciated God for answering his prayer one and half year after marriage.
“I want to thank God for answering my prayer after one and half year of marriage.
“I will continue to worship God as long as I live and I pray God to give the resources and strength to bring her up in the way of the Lord,” he prayed.
The SA who married his lovely wife in April 15th, 2023, also thanked his family members, colleagues, the media and other well wishers who stood and prayed with him and his wife throughout the period.