November 23rd, 2014 will remain indelible in the minds of all and sundry in Obelle Community, Emohua LGA of Rivers State, as in-laws, friends and well wishers from all walks of life converged at St. Michael’s Catholic Parish, Obelle, to identify with the family of Chief C.C. Onu on the 1st year anniversary of his late wife and mother, lady (Mrs.) Felicia Chika Onu.
Shortly after the memorial service, the parish priest of St. Michael’s Catholic Parish, Obelle, Rev. Fr. Cornelius Ogbumgbada, who was at Obelle Market Square to commission the water project provided for the entire Obelle people by Mr. Chamberlin Chikwe Orlu, son in-law to late Mrs. Felicia Onu, described the day as a day to proclaim that Christ is the King.
Rev. Ogbumgbada noted that the Gospel reading of the day exalted to handover the Kingdom to those that gave water to the tasty, those who gave food to them when hungry and a day of blessing to the source of the potable water and handing over the project, through the Council of Chiefs to Obelle people.
He stated that Mr. Orlu has provided an opportunity for those who can afford bread, the means of water without paying for it after eaten the bread and urged the people in the area to emulate the gesture of the family that have provided water for all to drink, which was in line with the gospel reading of the day, according to him.
Responding shortly after the commissioning, chairman of Obelle Council of Chiefs, Chief Bartholomew AleruchiChukwuemeka (J.P), commended Mr. & Mrs. Orlu for providing water for the elderly and the poor in Obelle community and prayed Almighty God to replenish them.
Chief Chukwuemeka however, enjoined the youths of the community to make judicious use of the project and warned that any attempt by anybody to vandalize the project will incur the wrath of God.
In a chat with our correspondent, the sponsor of the project, Mr Chamberlin ChikweOrlu, Personal Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Government House, who hails from Rumuigbo Community in Obio/Akpor LGA, said he was in Obelle community for the one year memorial service of his late mother-in-law, Lady Onu.
Mr. Orlu maintained that the day was to celebrate the good life of late Mrs. Onu while on earth, adding that he benefited from the benevolence of the late mother-in-law, whom he married the second daughter.
On his decision to live a philanthropic life, Mr. Orlu said: “Sometime last year in a church service at Obelle, six months ago, I was led by the Spirit of God to empower 20 widows in the community. It is said that God is the husband of widows and that is why he is using some of us to assist them.
“I am a product of net like a fisherman, but I am not a product of fish. I like teaching people how to fish because I am a product of that too.
“The motivation is that we have to help people at the grassroots and when you do that to the glory of God, he will know how to reward you.
“I always encourage people to share with others when they have a kobo, because it is not good to eat alone. Even when you share with people, God knows how to reward you, because he knows that so many people are depending on you”, Orlu added.
It would be recalled that Mr. Orlu recently empowered over 54 persons in Chakiricha Community, Rumuigbo and donated generously at the 2014 “Harvest of Expectation” of the Anglican Church of Comforter, Rumuigbo in Obio/Akpor LGA. He also stated that the day was used to commission the water project that he provided for the entire people of Obelle Community, in memory of late Mrs. Onu and expressed gratitude to God that the youths, elders, chiefs and the church are happy about what God has asked them to do.
The duo of Mr. Reginald Onu, son of Chief C.C. Onu and late lady Felicia Onu and Mr. Ovunda Ezekiel, Ward12 Secretary of APC in Obio/Akpor LGA of the State, lauded Mr. & Mrs. Orlu, for their kind gesture and urged the beneficiaries of the water project to make good use of the potable water and guard against any form of vandalism. ###
