Cardinal Francis Arinze has attributed the country’s underdevelopment to poverty and neglect of rural areas.
He spoke yesterday at the ground breaking ceremony of the proposed Azione Verde University, Aqua Viva Hospital as well as a Catholic Church at Amaju, Amaigbo, Nwangele Local Government Area, Imo State.
He advised leaders to channel their resources for the development of rural areas to alleviate poverty in the country.
“One of the ways to address poverty in the country is for Nigerians to be willing to give assistance to their fellow Nigerians without expecting rewards.
“Those who are more privileged than others must show real patriotism and kind gesture to their fellow Nigerians.
“When this is done, the peace and unity everybody is clamouring for will naturally come,” he said.
Arinze expressed optimism that the proposed university and the hospital would act as catalyst for speedy development and reduction of poverty in the state.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Togo and Benin Republic, Archbishop Brain Udaigwe, said the university would impact on the lives of the underprivileged.
“We believe its location in a village like this will give educational opportunities for people in the area.
“Also, we hope it is going to provide a wider opportunity in order to touch lives directly,” he said.
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu, Imo, Most Rev. Augustine Ukwuoma, commended the initiative of citing a university in a rural area.
He said the gesture, including the proposed hospital, underscored the availability of healthcare services nearer the people, especially rural dwellers.
He said effective healthcare service would reduce maternal mortality and commended the initiator of the project, Rev. Fr. Ifeanyi Duru, for using his charitable foundation to touch many lives, especially the less privilege.
