By David Okpala/Stella Okpala
The Vice Chancellor, Peter University Achina, Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Umezinwa, has observed that looting public treasury to achieving wealth security for children/children’s children is foolish.
He made the observation in a homily during burial/funeral Mass of Mrs Josephine Nwadili Okechukwu, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Akpo, in Aguata LGA, on February 20.
The cleric said, “Out of ignorance, parents do everything to securing their children’s future. It is not bad to think about your children’s future, yet being desperate to the point of committing all manner of crimes is senseless.
“Some go as far as looting public treasury to sending their children to best schools of this world, provide all manner of pleasure for them at the detriment of less privileged children.
“I can assure you that these things do not guarantee future comfort of these children rather it makes them poor.
Men do not get rich because their parents are rich, riches are products of hard work, integrity, honesty and fear of God”.
He cited example of a man who acquired 21 houses across Nigeria major cities.
“The man died leaving these houses to his son who has sold all of them, squatting in another man’s house today.
It is not about he that willeth or runneth but about he that showeth mercy.”
Fr. Umezinwa enjoined young people not to pursue wealth without the fear of God, emphasizing that many who went as far as shedding innocent blood in the name of rituals to get rich quick are counting their losses in various correctional facilities.
“Even when you think you have succeeded, natural law of sowing and reaping will not let you go. God is not a mock, whichever a man soweth, that he must reap, Galatians 6:7(KJV).
“We have gathered to pray for our sister who has gone to be with God, our testimonies for her life is sweet.
The good lesson about our gathering is that one of these days, we shall all lie like she is lying, what will testimony of people be.
“Only you that is living has what it takes to making your own narrative worse or better, God is going to be the judge.
So, it is not about having bad case and good lawyer since God sees and knows everything. Therefore, amend your ways to meeting with him in good condition.”
According to him, Mrs Josephine lived for 86 years, had 5 sons and 4 daughters, over 30 grand children and over 10 great grand children. All her children are doing well in life. In fact, if money could buy life, she has children that could buy another 100 years for her.Behold, she died leaving all these things, food for thought.”
The first son of the deceased, Nze Anselem Okechukwu expressed gratitude to all in attendance. He prayed God to replenish all virtues lost attending his mother’s burial cum funeral Mass.
The funeral Mass had host of clergy men. Prominent among them include Catholic Bishop, Ekwulobia Diocese, Most Rev Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, in representation of Dean, Akpo Deanery, Rev. Fr. Christian Umeojilinnaka.
Others include Very Rev. Fr. Chika Okpalike, Parish Priest, St. John’s Catholic Church, Igboukwu, and Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Okpalike, Lecturer Department of Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu Campus(UNEC).
David and Stella are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
