Northern CAN Donates Relief Materials To IDPs, Vulnerable Persons In Benue
Tamenor Kwaghzer
Jan 21, 2026 09:48
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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states has donated relief materials worth millions of naira to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area, those displaced from Gwer West Local Government Area, as well as persons living with disabilities in Benue State.
The presentation took place at the CAN Secretariat in Makurdi, where the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Dr. J. J. Hayap, disclosed that the intervention was carried out in collaboration with Barnabas Fund to support vulnerable members of society.
Dr. Hayap explained that Northern CAN resolved to intervene in states most affected by insecurity and displacement, including Kaduna, Plateau, Borno, Benue and Ondo states. He noted that similar interventions had earlier been carried out in Kaduna and Ondo, with Benue being the latest beneficiary.
He assured the displaced persons that they were not alone in their sufferings, adding that those persecuting the church would not prevail, as victory ultimately belongs to God’s people. According to him, the relief materials were not given as charity to beggars but as a deliberate act of solidarity by the church with its members and communities in distress.
Speaking on behalf of the Benue State Governor, Apostle Dr. King Ajav commended the leadership of Northern CAN for its show of compassion and benevolence toward the suffering population of the state. He assured the IDPs that the Benue State Government was working toward ensuring their safe return to their ancestral homes, describing the gesture by Northern CAN as immeasurable and timely.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Vice Chairman of CAN in Benue State, Rev. Jonathan Terwase Ugbede, lamented that communities in the state had battled insecurity and displacement for over 15 years. He expressed gratitude to the Northern CAN leadership for identifying with the people of Benue in their moment of pain.
Rev. Ugbede noted that IDPs from Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area, those from Gwer West Local Government Area, as well as persons living with disabilities, were selected as beneficiaries of the intervention.
One of the beneficiaries, Aondofa Akaacii, expressed joy over the donation and prayed that God would bless the leadership of CAN for finding them worthy of support.
Items distributed included thousands of bags of rice, beans, garri and corn, as well as palm oil, groundnut oil, sugar, salt and seasoning cubes.
