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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has donated food reliefs to 1,000 vulnerable families in Benue State to ameliorate their sufferings following the recent attacks on their communities.
Chairman of the 19 Northern States and FCT, Rev. Joseph Hayab, explained that the 1,000 families are drawn from two communities of Yelewata in Guma and Gwer West Local Government Areas as well as People Living With Disabilities (PWDs).
Rev. Hayab, who explained that the gesture was a show of love to fellow people of God, said the food items were facilitated through the Barnabas Fund.
“Some time ago the CAN Northern Nigeria had a conversation with an organization called Barnabas Fund. For Christians, the name Barnabas comes from the Son of encouragement.
“So Barnabas Fund extended its hand of encouragement to us to support Christians who are victims of persecution in five selected states in Nigeria – Kaduna, Plateau, Borno, Benue in the North and Ondo in the South.”
Hayab, who acknowledged Benue as the most recent victim of persecution, highlighting the recent incidents in Yelewata said “On behalf of the church and Barnabas Fund, I commiserate with the entire people CAN and entire Christians of Benue state.
“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 beginning of the testimony.
“In a transparent manner we are giving gifts to 1000 families who will each receive a 25kg bag of rice, a quarter bag of maize, garri and bean, 2 liters of palm oil, 3 liters 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 opens 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.
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 prayed God to restore peace in Nigeria once again. “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 Northern states and FCT, these problems will come to an end.”
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.
“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, a 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 despair, 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 aid, and prayed God to bless them immensely.
