German lady visits Nsukka prisons, feeds inmates

By Chikwado Ugwu

Sunday, September 11, 2016 was a very joyful day for the inmates of Nsukka prisons in Enugu State as they were fed with a special local food (okpa) by a German lady, Mrs. Cecilia Gelmar who was on a holiday visit to Nigeria.

Reliable sources told our reporters that Mrs. Gelmar was moved by the plight of the inmates when she recently visited the prison with some colleagues. It was further gathered that through her sponsorship, the inmates have been fed in the same manner since 2012 with Msgr. Emmanuel Chuka Ugwu of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka serving as the intermediary.

During the visit, the prisoners, comprising of no fewer than 300 people, welcomed their guests with melodious renditions and praises to God for His divine protection and mercy on them.

Using the biblical story of the prodigal son as an instance, Msgr. Ugwu assured the inmates that by the grace of God, they will be set free on a good day to be received by their people just like the father of the prodigal son in the bible.

Mrs. Gelmar thanked the prisoners for their prayers which she requested from them on behalf of her sick son, a cancer patient whenshe visited in 2011, adding that through their prayers, her son has been recovering, encouraging them to continue to hope in God as He is the only one capable of setting them free.

In appreciation, the General Provost of the inmates who does not want his name on prints commended Mrs. Gelmar and her colleagues for the visit.

On the other hand, the Chief Discipline Officer, Mr. Cornelius Anigbo, who received the team on behalf of the prison authorities extolled the visitors, adding that if other spirited individuals should emulate the kind gesture, the welfare of the inmates will be better. She prayed God’s blessing and favour upon them (the visitors).

In a similar visit, Mrs. Gelmar also visited the home of Mr. Friday Eke, a physically challenged man at Olido, Enugu-Ezike where according to eye-witness accounts; she shed tears on seeing the condition of the cripple.

It was gathered that Mrs Gelmar first met Mr. Friday on her visit to Nigeria in 2011 and has been sending money for his treatment through Msgr. Ugwu, adding that without her timely intervention, the cripple would have become blind. She also promised to set up a shop for Mr. Friday where he would commence his shoe mending business.

Later on, she was given a grand reception by the parishioners of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Olido during which she urged all to patronize Friday’s workshop as a way of sustaining his business, adding that she has adopted Friday as her son.