Shun Ill-Gotten Wealth, Catholic Priest Tells Parents, As Retired CBN Director, Siblings Bury Mother

By Frank Oshanugor

The Parish Priest of Holy Mary Catholic Church, Abavo in Delta State, Rev. Fr. Victor Ofili has advised Nigerian parents who aid and abet their children in acquiring wealth illegitimately to desist from such act which is capable of destroying their future.

Rev. Fr. Ofili gave the charge on Friday at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Ubulu-Uku, Delta State during the funeral mass for the late Maria Nkeonyeasoa Mordi, mother of a retired Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) Mr. Charles Mordi.

According to the Catholic Priest, some parents in contemporary time have lost the courage and fatherly role in guiding their children on the right path of life.

He condemned the attitude of those parents who have literarily closed their eyes to the endless indulgence of their children in illegal means of acquiring quick wealth.

In his words, “ritualists, fraudsters who indulge in all manner of illegitimate means of acquiring wealth are now celebrated in their communities while parents are no longer worried about such wealth.”

He wondered how the youths of the present generation would cope with future challenges when they have failed to imbibe the spirit of goodness and hard work. He condemned the idea of youths

trying to imitate the wrong aspects of Western way of life and destroying the esteemed values of our indigenous culture as he expressed worry that some parents have misled their children particularly those he described as “un-parented parents.”

The Catholic Priest remarked that most parents who are Christians were properly brought up but many of such people have not helped in present time to entrench the same values they were brought up with, in the present circumstance.

While extolling the virtues of the late Mrs. Maria Mordi, the Reverend Father remarked that “it is unfortunate that a

generation of good people like Mrs. Mordi was gradually dying” thereby leaving a big vacuum to fill. “What will be the legacy of the current and future generations going by the current state of immorality and other vices,? he asked.

The Priest described the late Mrs. Mordi who died at the age of 90 as a woman of

virtue who was a mother not only to her biological children but many others who crossed her path. According to the priest, Mrs. Mordi typified the ideal Christian who played enormous role as a leader in various organizations.

The late Mrs. Maria Nkeonye Mordi was survived by her children among whom are Professor Raphael Mordi of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Mr. Charles Mordi formerly of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Rita Oloye, Juliet Mordi and Theodora Mordi.

The late Mrs. Mordi who was a teacher, celebrated seamstress and community

leader was educated at St. Jarlaths Catholic Primary School, Bukuru and Vom Community School,

Vom both in Plateau State. She was obviously a well loved personality as thousands of people from Ubulu-Uku and other parts of Nigeria including those in the Diaspora attended the funeral ceremonies which began on Thursday with a service of songs at St. Catholic Church, Ubulu-uku.

The funeral mass coordinated by the Parish Priest of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Martins Iyamah had other Catholic clergy in attendance. They included Rev. Fr. Augustine Abude, Rev. Fr. Victor Ofili and Rev. Fr. Peter Okoka.

An elaborate reception ably coordinated by an event management company ATLANTIC MERRY MAKERS was held at the Ubulu Primary School field where guests were well entertained with different cuisine, drink and music.