The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has donated food items as part of its humanitarian gesture to support victims of the recent flood disaster in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
CAN President, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Okoh, expressed deep sorrow over the magnitude of destruction caused by the flood and the pain it has inflicted on the affected communities.
Represented by the CAN Vice President, Rev. Dr. Stephen Baba Panya, Archbishop Okoh stated that the tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the collective responsibility to support one another during times of distress.
He noted that the donation of food items was a demonstration of love and solidarity with the victims, especially those directly affected by the disaster.
“We are here to express our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Niger State, particularly the Mokwa region, following the devastating flood that has led to the loss of lives, destruction of homes, and the displacement of many families,” he said.
He added that CAN’s efforts are aimed at complementing the interventions of the federal and state governments, emergency agencies, well-meaning Nigerians, and other humanitarian partners.
“May the Lord, in His grace and mercy, comfort all who mourn, heal the wounded, and restore what has been lost. As a church, we will continue to lift Niger state in prayer. As Psalm 46:1 says, ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,’” he added.
Also speaking during the presentation of the food items, the Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Barrister Mairo Man, appreciated CAN’s gesture and assured that the relief items would be properly distributed.
She added that the state government has already redeemed its pledge of one billion naira, which has helped to close 90 percent of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Mokwa.
Mairo further stated that all affected victims received five hundred thousand naira each, while one million naira was given to the families of those who lost their lives during the flood.
The Permanent Secretary, who received the items on behalf of the state government, was accompanied by the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Ara, and other officials from humanitarian and emergency response agencies.
A total of forty-five bags of grains were donated, comprising twenty bags of maize, twenty bags of guinea corn, and five bags of beans.