From Ifeoma Ejiofor
The Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, has expressed satisfaction with its developmental initiatives as it prepares to implement the Charting a Pathway for a Sustainable Society (CAPS) Project, scheduled to run from 2027 to 2031.
The development emerged during a Central Validation Workshop on the development of a long-term strategic plan for 2027–2031, held at the Diocesan Secretariat Hall within the Cathedral premises in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Representatives of selected individuals and organisations from Nnewi, Ozubulu, Amichi and Ihiala, which constitute the regions of the Nnewi Diocese, participated in the workshop.
In his address, the Director of JDPC, Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Rev. Fr. Benedict Chima Okolo, expressed appreciation for the Diocese’s selection to participate in the CAPS Project, which is supported by the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN).
He explained that the project’s five-year implementation period necessitated the development of a comprehensive strategic plan to guide the organisation’s activities and priorities.
According to him, the workshop would help strengthen JDPC Nnewi’s humanitarian and development interventions, build institutional capacity and position the organisation as a strategic partner in promoting sustainable development and achieving greater impact across Anambra State.
Fr. Okolo added that the CAPS Project would serve various groups, including students, women, widows, youths, orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs), households, communities and Ward Development Committees (WDCs).
Speaking at the workshop, the Programs Manager for Nnewi JDPC, Mr Onyekachi Ololo said JDPC Nnewi would partner with the Anambra State Ministries of Health, Education and Agriculture to advance the objectives of the CAPS Project through the five-year strategic plan.
He noted that the plan would translate the organisation’s mission into measurable goals and actionable strategies aligned with its vision, while remaining adaptable to emerging needs and changing circumstances.
Ololo further explained that the planning process would strengthen monitoring and evaluation, promote accountability and ensure the efficient use of available resources.
He outlined four key objectives of the process: engaging relevant stakeholders, assessing the organisation’s current situation, defining strategic priorities and developing a participatory five-year strategic plan to guide JDPC Nnewi’s work.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Anambra State Ministry of Health, Pharmacist Oby Uchebo, represented by Dr. Okoli Prosper Chinonso, expressed the ministry’s willingness to partner with JDPC Nnewi to ensure the successful implementation of the five-year CAPS Project.
The proposed collaboration is expected to strengthen cooperation between JDPC Nnewi and relevant government ministries in advancing development initiatives that respond to the needs of individuals, households and communities across the Diocese.
