Yobe State Government in collaboration with North-East Development Commission (NEDC) distributed food items to 633 less privileged Christian households for peaceful celebration of Christmas in the state.
Dr. Ali Ibrahim Abbas, the NEDC State Focal Person and Coordinator stated that the Christian community had been part and parcel of the state.
“Therefore, as national leader Gov. Mai Mala Buni understands that the Christian brothers and sisters are going to celebrate Christmas this soon.
“So this is an extension of his kind gesture to the people of the Christian community. This kind of support we believe will assist the less privileged among them to celebrate the period with ease, happiness and prosperity.”, Abbas said.
He explained that the items distributed include a bag of rice, carton of spaghetti and cooking oil which would be given to 633 households each across the state.
“We directed the Christian leadership of the state to carefully selected 633 most vulnerable and lessprivileged members among them, which they did.
“You can see most of the beneficiaries here are old men and women who truly deserve this support.
“I commended the leadership for being fair in the selection and this program would continue across other local government areas.”, he added.
Alhaji Mala Musti, the Yobe state Commissioner Ministry for Religious Affairs called on the beneficiaries to pray hard for the state and the nation in general.
He said, though Yobe was enjoying relative peace, other parts of the country were seriously in need of prayers for return of full peace.
Musti added that the was at its trial moment, what it needed most was prayer from everyone in the country.
Bishop Yuhana Audu, the Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Yobe chapter expressed gratitude to NEDC Yobe government for their kindness.
“On behalf of the Christian community in Yobe state, I sincerely appreciate the kindness of Dr. Ali Ibrahim Abbas, the NEDC Focal Person and Governor Mai Mala Buni for their kind gesture to the Christian community in the state.
Audu also commended the commissioner for religious affairs for his exemplary leadership, describing him as a father to all and sundry.
He also called on the beneficiaries to value the items and share same with their neighbours and enjoined them to continue to pray for peace and prosperity for the state and the country.
