Gombe: The Gombe State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has received Christmas and New Year relief materials donated by the Gombe State Government. This initiative aims to support Christian communities during the festive season.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the official handover took place at the warehouse of the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). The Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, Mr. Shehu Ibrahim Yerima Abdullahi, presented the items on behalf of the state government. The relief items include 1,100 bags of rice, 1,100 cartons of pasta, 1,100 pieces of wrappers, and 11 bales of Shadda Brocade. These are to be equitably shared among vulnerable members of the Christian community across the 11 Local Government Areas of the state.
Mr. Yerima stated that the donation was approved by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to enable the Christian community in Gombe State to celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivities with joy and dignity. He highlighted that the relief materials were in addition to earlier financial support approved and released to the Christian community, groups, and individuals. He urged the association to ensure fair distribution, prioritizing vulnerable persons across the state.
In response, the Gombe State CAN Chairman, Rev. Joseph Alphonsus Shinga, assured the government that the association would ensure transparent and equitable distribution of the relief items. Rev. Shinga emphasized that the focus would be on the most vulnerable, including women groups, widows, persons with special needs, and youth groups. He mentioned that they would collaborate with local government and ward coordinators to ensure that the items reach beneficiaries throughout the state.
Rev. Shinga also expressed appreciation to Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his governance style, which he said promotes peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths in Gombe State. Governor Yahaya had previously approved the disbursement of over N150 million to individuals, groups, organizations, and associations across Gombe State as part of his seasonal support initiatives. This gesture aims to ease the burden on families during the festive period while promoting the values of love, sharing, and togetherness associated with the Christmas season.
The distribution event was attended by the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Hon. Haruna Abdullahi, the Gombe CAN leadership, CAN Local Government Area coordinators, and other relevant stakeholders.