Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, spent Easter Monday visiting St. Martin’s Orphanage and Home for the Lonely Adults in Igboukwu, Anambra State. The institution, managed by the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia under the spiritual leadership of Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, caters to orphans and elderly individuals without family or support.
Describing his visit as deeply moving, Mr Obi commended the diocese’s selfless service to society’s most vulnerable members. In a show of support, the former governor of Anambra State donated N10 million to the facility. He referred to the donation as a modest gesture of encouragement for a mission that epitomises love, compassion and service to humanity.
“Their work is a shining example of the Church’s mission in action,” Obi said, praising the diocese’s dedication to upholding human dignity. He also assured the management of his ongoing support and encouraged other well-meaning Nigerians to contribute to such noble causes. “May we never forget that a society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable,” he added.
On behalf of Cardinal Okpaleke, chancellor of the diocese, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Nwankwo, warmly received Obi and conveyed the cardinal’s blessings. He expressed profound gratitude for Obi’s visit and donation, reiterating the church’s commitment to caring for the vulnerable.
Rev. Sr. Clemencio Agba, the manager of the facility, described Obi’s visit as a great source of encouragement for both the staff and residents. She highlighted the daily challenges of running the home and noted that the donation would significantly enhance the quality of care provided.
“Mr. Obi’s consistent compassion and advocacy for the poor and marginalised mark him as a true friend of the forgotten,” Sr. Clemencio said. She further called on individuals, organisations, and government authorities to emulate such acts of generosity, emphasising the importance of collective effort in building a more compassionate society.
