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From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in 19 Northern states and FCT, supported by Barnabas Fund, an organization, has donated food stuffs worth millions of naira to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Persons Living With Disabilities in Benue State.
The beneficiaries were drawn from Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, those displaced in communities of Gwer West Local Government Area.
The Chairman of 19 Northern States CAN, Rev. Joseph Hayab, who presented the items at CAN Secretariat in Makurdi disclosed that the intervention was a show of love and kindness to fellow brothers and sisters to support them ameliorate the sufferings they’re going through.
He said CAN Northern Nigeria met with Barnabas Fund who extended hands of encouragement to enle them support Christians who are victims of persecution in five selected state in Nigeria; namely Kaduna, Plateau, Borno, Benue in the North and Ondo in the South.”
Hayab who noted that Benue was the most recent victim of persecution, commiserated with the entire people CAN and entire Christians of Benue state.
He said “We deeply express our regrets and concern over what happened to you and we want to tell you that you are not alone. Your houses may have been burnt, your children, wives, husbands may have been killed but you are not alone. They may have inflicted pains on you but testimony is coming and part of what we intend to do is the begining of the testimony.”
“In a transparent manner we are giving gifts to 1000 families who will each receive 25kg bag of rice, a quarter bag of maize, garri and bean, 2 liters of palm oil, 3liters of groundnut oil, sugar and condiments including sachets of salt and maggi.
“You are not beggars, it is only a privilege that the church, worldwide is helping you. This is a show of love. Let us not treat the other person as a nobody because in the sight of God we are equal and important. That is why we also included PWDs. We pray that this gesture will unite us the more.
“If God open another door we will come again. Those who are tormenting the church and thinking we will not survive, God will expose them and give us victory. Gradually God is raising people to speak for us. When recently issues came up, God raised people in Benue and they spoke out and God will raise more voices for us. Go home happily knowing you have brothers here in Nigeria and outside Nigeria who care about you.”
Hayab commended the leadership of CAN in Benue state for identifying the beneficiaries urging them to ensure equitable distribution of the item so that everyone goes home with a testimony.
The Vice Chairman of CAN Benue State chapter, Rev Jonathan Ugbede appreciated Barnabas Fund for their kind gesture saying “Today is great because the world over heard about the plight of Benue people.
He noted that the state have been battling with insurgency for about 15 years saying “but the last one in Yelewata was one, too many, and it drew the attention of both the local and the international communities where we had over 200 of our sons and daughters, women and children massacred in one night.
Ugbede who prayed God to restore peace in Nigeria once again also stated that “The people in Gwer West have also had their share of the attacks over the years. It is our prayer that this visit will do a lot in our lives and above all with the prayers of the people of God in the 19 Nothern states and FCT, these problems will come to an end.”
In his remarks, the Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Religion and Societies, David Ajav appreciated the leadership of CAN in 19 Northern Nigeria for standing with the state in her tough time saying the support means a lot to the survivors of the recent attacks.
He said “I can see signs of enthusiasm on the faces of the survivors, they are so enthused that they can not hide their feelings. Benue state, few months ago, suffered severe attacks but to the glory of God the intervention of our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the efforts of Governor Hyacinth Alia towards the security situation of the State, we have experienced peace till this time.
“For favouring Benue’s vulnerable families, Ajav, on behalf of state government, thanked Barnabas foundation and CAN Northern Nigeria for the gifts urging the survivors not to dispair assuring that the Governor is working round the clock to return them back to their ancestral homes.”
Some of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ruth Kyaakior, Abraham Asong, Ejuma Ubeke, Akkajime Jacob among others appreciated CAN and Barnabas Fund for the aids praying God to bless them immensely.
