CAN Decry IDPs Conditions, Urges Christians To Base Christmas On Spiritual Preparation

By Francis Okoye

The Chairman Christian Association of  Nigeria (CAN), Borno State Chapter, Most Rev. John Bogna Bakeni, who is the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic dioceses of Maiduguri has called on Christians in the state to base the Christmas celebration coming ahead on spiritual preparation and not purely on materials things. 

Bishop Bakeni who noted that what is more important in the Christmas celebration is the disposition of the heart , reconciliation with one another, added that joy and happiness doesn’t come from how much one has, but how much gratitude one has even for a little. 

The CAN Chairman said these while sharing his Christmas message to  Christians in the state in an interview with Journalists on Wednesday in Maiduguri. 

He enjoined Christians to see the Christmas as celebration of hope rather than material things not withstanding the economic challenges faced by all in the country. 

He decried the worrisome condition of internally displaced persons ( IDPs ) residing in Christian camps at CAN Centre Wulari, Shuwari as well as those in Catholic Centre and host communities in the state, and said even though government doesn’t recognise them because the camps are said to be unofficial, more could be done to see that they are equally treated as those in the recognised camps that has been closed down and the people resettled, since majority of them are also citizens of Borno State. 

Bishop Bakeni said “, The IDPs are Nigeria citizens and citizens of Borno State. They are supposed to be directly under the care of the government even though they are in camps not recognised by government, but at the same time the Christian community and the church have been taking care of them as as much as their resources can allow  them.

” The plight of the IDPs was one of the issues we discussed at pastor’s meeting held on Tuesday. How to carry them along this festive season,  so there are plans on the way by all churches and Christian community to collect items such as foods, cloths among others to celebrate with them. They are very dear to us , but there are certain things that are beyond us in terms of resettlement and going back to their ancestral homes.

” My desire is that they should all be back to their various communities.  Officially, the government does not recognise the camps, but we can have conversation with the government authority to see how these IDPs in the care of the church can benefit from the government like other displaced persons,” the Bishop said.  

He described the relationship between the Christian community and the state government as cordial, saying that the Governor has been reaching out to the churches in several occasions. 

He commended the state government, the Nigeria military and other security agencies for the relative peace the people are enjoying in the state now compared to what was obtained before. 

” Having witnessed gradual return of peace in the state, we give thanks to God , and men and women in uniform and all other agencies who are working round the clock to ensure that peace is restored in Borno State  and the North-East in general. 

” So my message to all Christians in the state is to use this moment of grace to celebrate, pray , share gift and reconcile with one another so that graces set aside for this sacred season will abide with everyone,” Bishop Bakeni said. 

CAN Decry IDPs Conditions, Urges Christians To Base Christmas On Spiritual Preparation