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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.

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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.

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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.

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