Chukwueke: Spirituality and Humanitarian Gestures, Reasons for Embarking on 2024 Christmas Palliatives to Women and Indigents Across Imo State
By Amby Uneze
Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, marked by various traditions and acts of kindness across the globe. It is also a season of showing empathy on the people especially women and the indigent ones in the society. Due to the moral undertones attached to it, a prominent and compassionate member of the society in Imo State, Chief Jerry Chukwueke (popularly known as Ohamadike, The Geat Mobilizer) took the State by storm and distributed Christmas Palliatives to the people.
While others would posit political gains to their actions, it is important to draw attention on his motives which were purely based on spirituality and humanitarian gestures, as the moves were particularly focused on underscoring the importance of such initiatives in enhancing the wellbeing of vulnerable communities.
The role of spirituality during Christmas is fundamentally a Christian celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, embodying values such as love, generosity, and compassion. These values foster a sense of community and encourage acts of kindness toward the less fortunate. Spirituality during this period acts as a guiding force, enabling individuals and organisations to focus on sharing resources and uplifting those in need.
Jerry Chukwueke's initiatives resonate with the essence of Christmas by emphasising love and care for the less privileged, showcasing how spirituality can translate into impactful actions that benefit the wider community. This initiative indicates that spiritual values strongly influence communal life and humanitarian gestures, especially during festive seasons.
The distribution of palliatives directly addresses the needs of women and the indigent population in Imo State, who often face economic challenges exacerbated during the festive season. Therefore, initiatives like the ones undertaken by Chukwueke are critical for empowering women and alleviating the plights of the indigent.
The practical impact of Chukwueke's Christmas palliatives is profound. By focusing on women and indigents, which brought over 5000 of them benefiting from the gesture. The palliatives included food supplies (rice), financial aid, and health services, which are essential for improving quality of life. No doubt, palliatives serve as a crucial buffer for those at risk of falling deeper into poverty.
Empowering women through support can lead to improved family welfare and community resilience. Studies have shown that when women have access to resources, they are more likely to invest in their children's education and healthcare, driving positive changes throughout their communities. Therefore, Chukwueke's initiatives not only addresses immediate needs but also contributes to the broader goal of fostering sustainable development in Imo State.
The ceremony which spanned for about three weeks on daily basis took him and his entourage to many communities in the State, including the Catholic dioceses of Ahiara, Orlu and the grand finale took place at Owerri Archdiocese premise. The finest moment was that it was a non-denominational activity that brought all people of diverse religious groups together.
The most interesting and emulating aspect of the events are the smooth and orderly strong floor management applied that made the whole episodes peaceful and organized.
In his short messages at every point, Chief Jerry Chukwueke encouraged the people to continue to have faith in the government of the day and never to lose hope with the current situation of things in the country.
He opined that the reforms that are going on in the country today would surely lead to a lasting economic greatness, and likened the scenario to that of a great farmer who plants seeds, water them and waiting patiently for it to germinate and at the end he happily harvests his bountiful fruits. He also enjoined the people of the State to continue to support the administration of the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma in his efforts to reposition the State better. He added that the governor "is doing well and needs all the support to succeed citing example with the Egbu-Mbaise-Umuahia dual carriage road which has reduced dreadlocks and crimes on the axis during this yuletide."
The Owerri Provincial President of the Laity Council, Hon. Placidus Onyedikachi Chijioke thanked Chief Jerry Chukwueke for remembering the Laity and starting with Owerri Province where he came from, he opined that every beneficiary was carefully selected and also seen as the most vulnerable.
He assured their guest of making sure the story of his benevolence is heard in all parts of the Catholic community in Nigeria.
Leaders from Owerri Archdiocese and that of the Orlu and Okigwe dioceses, in their separate speeches expressed satisfaction with the organization of the program and tagged it as the most peaceful and well planned events.
Also touched by the love of empathy shown by Chief Chukwueke, Rev. Fr. Lacerian Iwu, the Cathedral Financial Administrator of Ahiara diocese, prayed for him and blessed the items before effective and efficient sharing begun without rancour or stampede. The most significant milestone achieved in this initiative was the quiet and peaceful scene devoid of stampede and other unpalatable stories that were associated with huge gatherings of crowd in sharing of palliatives across the country. Chukwueke applied wisdom, security intelligence and strong tool management techniques to ensure hitch-free programme.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed happiness and prayed to God to continue to bless Chief Chukwueke in his endeavours as the highlight featured prayer section by the beneficiaries on the sponsor of the programme. Based on the excellent arrangements put up by the organizers, there were encomiums showered on Chukwueke by the beneficiaries and the the Church leaders. To this end, Chukwueke has scored high points in the management of people which he is used to that long ago earned him the title of 'the great Mobilizer'.
Having successfully concluded a statewide palliative programme, Chukwueke commenced the sponsorship of some communities in the State for the enrollment of the State Health Insurance Scheme which began from his Awaka-Ihitteogada clan in Owerri North Local Government.
He eulogized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Hope Uzodinma for the community health insurance scheme initiatives. Over 5000 residents of his clan are benefiting from this health insurance scheme. Chukwueke also promised to enlist another 5000 beneficiaries from across the State into the health insurance initiative. This is indeed a marvelous gesture that needs to be commended holistically.
This separate occasion had the presence of the Imo State Health Commissioner, Dr. Prosper Success Ohayagha who assured the Awaka-Ihitteogada community leaders that the State government would take urgent steps to rehabilitate the moribund Awaka Healthcare Centre.
"This insurance scheme for Awaka and Ihitte Ogada communities means that your people will access free medical treatment from the premium your son, Chief Jerry Chukwueke will pay."
In his remarks, Dr. Uchenna Ewelike, Executive Secretary of IMSHIS thanked Chief Chukwueke for his bold initiative to help his people access free healthcare. "This act of kindness," he said, "is the best thing anyone can give to his people. The most significant advantage is that community members will have access to free healthcare services, eliminating the financial burden of medical expenses and hardship. The residue effect is an improved health outcomes, reduced morbidity and mortality rates."
Chief Jerry Chukwueke, said that he decided to embark on this project as a sacrifice and to share with others God's blessings and grace upon his family. The innate desire to touch people's lives, he said, is a family trait that is in tandem with the just concluded statewide palliative program for women and indigent families.
He further said that for the cynics, everything must not be viewed in the cynical lens of politicking "because real hard earned personal resources are involved, and the desire to touch people's lives and make a difference is real," saying "God gave his best and all to redeem mankind and we are today the apostles of the great commission to reach out and touch the lives of the least of our brothers and sisters amongst us. He used the opportunity to appeal to men and women with the means and capacity to do the same for their communities and, by doing so, reduces the burden on the governor and the governed.
Making his vote of thanks, Justice Paschal Nnadi, Retired Chief Judge of the State who will oversee the enrollment of residents of the clan into the health insurance scheme, expressed the gratitude of the people of Awaka ancient kingdom to one of their illustrious sons for his act of benevolence and generosity to their people and the good people of Imo State. He prayed for divine guidance, protection, sustenance, and grace to continue his good works.
The efforts led by Chukwueke in Imo State exemplify how spiritual values can catalyse meaningful actions that uplift women and the indigent population. By recognising the needs of these groups and responding with acts of kindness, he not only addresses immediate challenges but also lay the groundwork for long-term empowerment and development.
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