By CHINYERE Nnaemeka
The Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc. a global Catholic ministry dedicated to sharing, living God’s love and Word, founded by Fr Maurice Emelu, Ph.D in 2013, has carried out a humanitarian service of feeding, and treating 5000 vulnerable Nigerians; 1000 families, each with 5 members, as Very Important Personalities, VIPs.
The event which took place on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Umuchima town public field besides CIC Catholic Church in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, with the theme,”God’s VIPs”, began with a Holy Mass officiated by a popular Nigerian Prelate, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, not just for the event, but to mark the Jubilee Year of Hope, Fr Maurice Emelu’s 50th Birthday and 20th Anniversary of his Priestly Ordination.
The beneficiaries who were drawn from the 5 South East States – Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Abia were given the feeding treat under giant tents, given luxurious buses that brought them from their diverse locations to the venue, and took them back with 50kg rice stuffed up in their boots, and financial support for condiments designed to sustain them for one month.
The GVM founder; Fr Maurice Emelu, former Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and the Senator Representing Imo West (Orlu) Senatorial District, Senator Osita Izunaso, among other reverend fathers, and dignitaries showed an act of humility by personally serving food to the beneficiaries.
Emelu who is also an Associate Professor of Communication & Digital Media, and Director, MS in Digital Marketing & Communication Strategy at John Caroll University, USA, awarded scholarship of secondary education to University level, to an indigent girl; Uchechi Grace Akuzi from Umuofor Community in Ideato South.
Speaking the GVM founder welcomed all that were present to witness the ceremony, His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese; Bishop Martin Uzoukwu, an Auxiliary Bishop; Bishop Thomas Obiatuegwu representing the Bishop of Orlu Diocese; Most Rev Dr. Augustine Okwuoma, Board of Directors of GVM home and broad; President of GVM, Paul Verderber and his wife, MaryAnn Verderber from USA, an Advisory team member, Dr. A.B.C Orjiako, his family members, traditional ruler of Umuchima, among others.
Emelu hinting on what inspired him to execute such gesture averred,”the spirit behind what we are doing here today is that four years ago the Lord put it in my heart to treat the poorest of the poor in our midst like kings and queens; the Very Important Personalities (VIPs) who biblical they are. This gave rise to the name of the event as God’s VIPs
“This was why we brought them in from their diverse locations with air-conditioned buses, gave them red carpet reception, feeding treat, 50kg rice already packed in there buses, and money for condiments that will last them for atleast a month.
“To ensure that the persons who these were meant for were selected, we for 8 months hired people; Journalists, village leaders from the five States of the Eastern part of Nigeria to gather the names of the poorest of the poor in their communities. This was headed by a humble priest; Fr Cyriacus Uzochukwu who worked under me when I was the head of communications in Orlu Diocese. He flew three times from UK to Nigeria for the past months just to make sure the event was a success, and here we are today.
“Am just a man whom God has touched his life and I just want to be a symbol of God’s grace which is what the Gratia Vobis Ministries is all about; sharing the love and grace of God. The organization has helped many people, as we have worked with different countries, but this is the first time we are carrying out such event in Nigeria, which will be continued as my family has donated 100 plots of land for us to establish a full center where we can develop people for diverse skills, and trainings,’Emelu asserted’.
He appreciated Governor Hope Uzodimma who he said kept to his word last year of promising to begin fixing their road for the event.
He further advised Nigerian Governments to make polices, give grants, put in place structures, and regulations that will make it possible for individuals to develop their communities, adding, “Palliatives are not blessings. What am doing here is not palliative, there is a spirit to it, which is centered on giving people a sense of belonging. Governments should know that If people are constantly receiving palliatives they are constantly made poorer which is what destroying many nations today. If the people are shown how to fish and good conditions created for it to thrive, then they can fish anytime for themselves,’Emelu illustrated’.
Speaking earlier while conducting the Holy Mass, Cardinal John Onaiyekan thanked God for the grace to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee year of Hope by the “divine inspiration” given to Fr. Maurice Emelu to remember the needy in the country.
Wishing Emelu a happy 50th birthday and 20th Anniversary of his Priestly Ordination, noted that Emelu has lived a 50-year of very fruitful life as he has achieved an “extraordinary volume of success in the vainyard of God”.
Onaiyekan praying that he will continue to enjoy the grace, wisdom, and blessings of the Almighty God, urged him to keep up the good work, and also called on others to emulate him for a better society.
Adding his voice, the former Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi who in his speech said that Nigeria was currently passing through a difficult period, noted that he desires a Nigeria where collective wellbeing of the people are prioritised.
“This is the way we want our society to be, a society where people care for the needy. We want more of Fr. Maurice and individuals who care for the poor,’Obi averred’.
In the same vein, Senator Osita Izunaso representing Imo West (Orlu) Senatorial District, who was there in double capacity representing Governor Hope Uzodimma and himself, commended Fr. Emelu for the act, saying that it is a “unique effort as he is living up to what our Lord Jesus Christ did in the book of Matthew 14:2 by showing the people compassion and providing for them”.
He urged other people to follow in his footsteps, saying that what the GVM founder is doing is almost the same thing with what they are doing through their foundation, explaining that the only difference is that theirs is targeted at people with disabilities which they have been doing for 20 years now.
A federal lawmaker, Rep. Uchenna Okonkwo, representing Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, also lauded Emelu’s initiative, praising his selfless act of honouring the needy.
Okonkwo, who emphasised its timely significance amidst the nation’s current economic challenges, said that “Emelu’s motif of dedication, grace, and philanthropic assistance to the less privileged should be emulated”.
The President of GVM, Paul Verderber and his wife MaryAnn Verderber, Minna Bishop; Bishop Martin Uzoukwu, Coordinator of the event, Fr. Cyriacus Uzochukwu, the Chairperson of Annie Okonkwo Foundation, Lolo Chinyere Annie Okonkwo, among others took turns in applauding from Maurice for the outreach.
The beneficiaries were overwhelmed with joy as they prayed that God will bless and replenish the pocket of Fr Maurice Emelu.
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