BY ABDULLAHI ISAH, MAIDUGURI
The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) IDP camp have joined their counterparts all over the World to celebrate Christmas.
Our Correspondent who went to the camp reports that the IDPs were seen in a festive mood wearing new clothes, while cows were slaughtered for them with many of them exchanging pleasantries and gift, as part of the festivity.
An IDP from Gwoza, Mr. Sawa Gava said they thanked God for sparing their lives to witness the 2017 Christmas, as many of them did not see the day.
He said “as you can see, me with my children are in a festive mood, wearing new clothes. We have received many gifts and assistance from religious bodies and even the Borno state government has sent us Cow, Rice, cooking oil and many other things but despite this one would have loved to celebrate this Christmas with our families in our community in Gawa east of Gwoza local government area.”
She said “I call on the Federal Government, security agencies, military in particular to intensify efforts, so that we will soon return back to our respective communities,” she said.
Also speaking on the festivity, the CAN Chairman Bishop Williams Naga said they thank God that the IDPs were well cartered for like any other time by the Christian communities in Borno and beyond and the Borno state Governor who sent them cow, rice and even drinks to celebrate the Christmas.
“Our desire is for the IDPs to celebrate the Christmas with their families in their respective communities but thank God all the same that God wish they celebrate it here. The IDPs are celebrating the Christmas with us happily, as not only the state government assisted the Christians by approving huge sum of money to Christians in the state and you know the large chunk of the money went to the IDPs,” Bishop Naga stated.
He said “not only that the Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Bashir Garbai also sent 20 cows and 1,500 wrappers for the IDPs to celebrate Christmas. Senator representing Borno South, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume also sent them some cows and cash, so it is mixed feelings as the IDPs are happy but also desire to celebrate the Christmas in their communities. You can see they are happy but also desirous to go back home.
“We hope and pray that by the grace of God, the insurgency will soon come to an end, so that they will go back to their respective communities to celebrate future festivities. We will continue to pray for our military, the security agencies, Federal and state governments for lasting peace”, the CAN Chairman added.
