Nigerian archbishop builds house for physically challenged girl

Onitsha, Nigeria, Sep 10, 2020 / 10:41 am

Archbishop Valerian Okeke of Onitsha on Tuesday blessed and handed over a house he helped build and furnish for Adaoma Aniwetalu, a physically challenged girl in his local Church.

Speaking during Sept. 8 ceremony, Archbishop Okeke said the house was part of the Church's "commitment towards charity and the need to uplift the burden faced by people especially in this pandemic."

Aniwetalu's situation was brought to his attention by a religious sister, he said. He then reached out to some well-wishers for financial support.

In a Facebook post the bishop said: "I pray to God to come and take possession of this new house of our daughter. May this be a house of blessing, a house of grace and a house of peace. May she live here till when God will do for her more miraculous things in the future, through Christ our Lord."

Fides Media, the communications arm of the Diocese of Awka, during the ceremony Archbishop Okeke said: "Seeing her ability in her disability, being able to write and perform tasks with her toes, I resolved to help her achieve her life's goals."

He announced a scholarship offer for Aniwetalu, saying, "She is placed on a fully-paid scholarship together with her friend (her helper)."

"May God always guide and protect her," the archbishop added.