Church Launches Support Fund For Ozubulu Attack Victims

The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi has launched a victims’ support fund to cater for those involved in the attack on worshipers at St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu on August 6.
The Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Hillary Okeke, who was represented by Rev. Fr. Hygi Aghaulor, Director of Social Communications of the Diocese, announced this in Nnewi last Wednesday.
“The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi has decided to do all it can to help the victims of the gunmen attack in St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu.
“To do that, the Diocese has opened a bank account to which all funds for the care of the victims will be deposited for proper accountability.
“The Name of the account: CDN Ozubulu Casualties Charity Fund Bank: UBA PLC (Nnewi)
“Account Number: 1020519192.
The diocese also gave the names of the dead and survivors of the attack.
“The following is the record of victims of the attack which showed that 20 were at various units for medical attention while two had been discharged.
Those in the list are Ikegwuonu Caroline (f) Nwakile Anthonia(f), Okoye Odinaka (m) Okoye Patricia(f), Isaac Chinedu(m), Oramadike Chinagorom(m), Oramadike Chinecherem(f) Udegbunam Chidimma(f) and Ndulue Samuel(m). Others are Udegbunam Obiageli(f), Ugochi Obiajulu(f) Chukwueloka Chinese, Oramadike Chioma(f), Azuka Basil(m) and Oramadike Chiamaka(f).
The list also includes Uchechukwu Chukwuemeka, Nwanya Ngozi, Ngwuta Chinemelum, Asomba Chukwudum and Nnudule Leonard(m).
Those discharged from hospital are Muomah Michael(m) and Oramadike Favour(f). According to the diocese, those who lost their lives to the massacre include Mr Cyprian Ikegwuonu, Mr Hyacinth Oramadike, Mrs Cecilia Ewin, Mrs Eunice Akanigbo, Mrs Rose Okoye, Mrs Anulika Oramadike, Mrs Uchenna Oramadike and Mrs Anthonia Ufondu.
The rest are Miss Oluchukwu Uhelu, Miss Christiana Igbeja, Mrs Udeze Pauline, Mrs Victoria Uzokwe and Mrs Florence Nweke.
“May God grant these martyrs eternal rest in our home in heaven,” it stated.
Meanwhile, the Anambra Traditional Rulers Council wants the state government to urgently constitute a high powered Commission of Inquiry into the immediate and remote causes of the church killings in Ozubulu.
A communiqué signed by the Chairman, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, Eze Ndikelionwu, (deputy South), Igwe S. I. Okafor and Igwe Chuma Onyia was issued after the council’s monthly meeting in Awka.
They said that such commission should be vested with powers to thoroughly investigate the immediate and remote causes of the unfortunate event and make recommendations.
According to the monarchs, now is not the time for hate talks but a period of mourning and sober reflection.