The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commended Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State for supporting the Christian community in the state with food, cooking oil, and cattle to enable them to have hitch-free Christmas celebrations.
Also, CAN appreciated the gestures of the coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, and the minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tugga, for coming to the aid of vulnerable Bauchi Christian families with foods and other necessities needed to celebrate Christmas.
Bauchi State CAN chairman, Reverend Abraham Dimeus said this in an interview with LEADERSHIP in Bauchi yesterday.
He said Christians in Bauchi have never received such huge support from their brothers as they did this year, adding that this is a pointer to a new Bauchi.
“This Christmas this year, particularly those of us living in Nigeria, we know that it has never been easy. This Christmas celebration came at a time we least expected because things are too hard. We are grateful. We had a lot of challenges as if people would not make it. God help us to make it.
“Why should I not thank those who had helped us during this Christmas? Governor Bala Mohammed is instructional in making this Christmas a reality for us. Some of us had absolutely nothing to cook, but he provided rice, cooking oil and cattle for us to slaughter. In fact, I least expect that from him because of the hard time that we are in.
“Not only him. In fact my stay as CAN chairman in Bauchi State, I must testify to the world let them hear this: I see a new Bauchi State this year because the assistance we get from our people are awesome.
“People like the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate also sent his gift to us; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tugga also sent a gift to us; people like Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPCL, Bala Wunti and senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba all did support us,” Reverend Dimeus said.
He added that “Bala Wunti did something I won’t forget in life. He shared about 300 bags of rice to Christians in some local governments. I marvelled that in spite of the challenges we had, yet you could see this massive support. Is this not love?”
Reverend Dimeus called on Christians to celebrate Christmas with love with their neighbours regardless of religious differences.
He called on them not to tamper with the prevalent peaceful atmosphere being enjoyed in Bauchi under the guise of celebration, adding that Christianity is all about peace and love for mankind.
