Advertisement

Widows Impoverished by Floods in Nigeria Receive Aid in Catholic Diocese’s Food Program

Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of Nigeria's Catholic Diocese of Yola. Credit: Catholic Diocese of Yola

By Abah Anthony John

Yola, 27 October, 2024 / 9:17 pm (ACI Africa).

Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of Nigeria's Catholic Diocese of Yola has distributed food among widows whose farmlands in Adamawa State were devastated by recent floods.

In an interview with ACI Africa on Wednesday, October 23 following the distribution of the food items, Bishop Mamza emphasized the urgency of the Diocese’s initiative to support the most vulnerable.

“We know the situation we find ourselves in Nigeria now, how things are very difficult. Life is so difficult, and there is hunger in the land. There is poverty,” the Nigerian Catholic Bishop said.

He noted that small scale farmers and widows have not been spared in the extensive flooding that severely impacted farmlands this year.

“We decided as a Diocese to give a little support in order to assist some of those widows whose farmlands were destroyed by the floods,” Bishop Mamza said.

Advertisement

He explained that faced with limited resources, the Catholic Diocese chose to focus on 50 of the most vulnerable widows, distributing essential food supplies to help cushion them against hunger.

He said, “This aid, organized and funded solely by the Catholic Diocese of Yola through its Justice, Development, and Peace Commission (JDPC), seeks to alleviate the challenges facing local communities.”

The Nigerian Bishop who has been recognized widely for his peace initiatives in the West African nation explained, “In Adamawa, these challenges have been exacerbated by natural disasters, particularly floods, which destroyed the farmlands of many impoverished residents, including indigent widows.”

Speaking during the October 23 aid distribution initiative, Bishop Mamza urged the widows to use the food wisely.

“I warned them never to sell the food, no matter how extreme the necessity. And should they not need it, they should give the food to others in need, but not to sell it,” he said.

More in Africa

South Sudan

Catholic Bishops Urge Sudanese to Learn “how to survive together”, to Reject Violence and Work for Peace

Read the article

The Catholic Bishop who has been at the helm of Yola Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in April 2011 encouraged the people to come together to support those in need, emphasizing the value of communal solidarity. 

Abah Anthony John

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Journalist with great enthusiasm and interest for Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. He has vast experience in Print,  Electronic and Multi-Media Production.

Trending

You may also like

The Vatican and Microsoft have created a 3D digital model of St. Peter’s Basilica using the latest in artificial intelligence to offer a new way to experience the nearly 2,000-year history of the tomb of St. Peter. / Credit: Microsoft La Basilica Di San Pietro: AI-Enhanced Experience

Discover the History of St. Peter’s Basilica in New Microsoft Oline AI-enhanced 3D Model

Accessible worldwide at virtual.basilicasanpietro.va, the free interactive platform allows anyone in the world to “visit” the virtual 3D model of...

An external view of the Chapel of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem during the procession of the Franciscan friars after the first vespers of the Ascension solemnity on May 8, 2024. The procession circled the chapel three times. / Credit: Marinella Bandini

Catholics Ascend to Mount Olives, Site of Jesus’ Ascension, Only Day They Can Use Chapel Currently Under Muslim Control

“I’m excited to have come to pray in the actual place of the Ascension... I want to be closer to...

Pope Francis arriving at the meeting with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and catechists in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Dili, East Timor, Sept. 10, 2024. / Vatican Media

Catholics in East Timor Welcome Pope Francis to their Island "oasis" of Religious Vocations

Speaking in Dili's cathedral, Pope Francis challenged East Timor's Catholic leaders to renew evangelization efforts, declaring that the nation's position...