Writing By Teddy Daniel; Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (Northern CAN), in partnership with the United Kingdom based Barnabas Aid Foundation, has distributed relief materials to 5,000 vulnerable households across northern Nigeria, as part of its 2025 Christmas humanitarian outreach.
The intervention, carried out in several conflict affected communities, targeted widows, persons living with disabilities, victims of religious violence and internally displaced families grappling with prolonged insecurity and economic hardship.
Items distributed included bags of rice, beans, maize and garri, as well as groundnut oil, palm oil, sugar, seasoning cubes and salt, aimed at easing the burden on vulnerable families during the Christmas season.
Speaking during the distribution exercise in Kaduna, Chairman of Northern CAN, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, described the initiative as an expression of compassion and solidarity with suffering communities.
Reverend Hayab said the support from Barnabas Aid made it possible for the association to reach families affected by violence and vulnerability, noting that 1,000 households were targeted in Chikun and Kajuru Local Government Areas of Kaduna State alone.
He explained that beyond the distribution of food items, the association also prayed with beneficiaries to reassure them that they were not alone in their struggles.
According to him, the Christmas outreach goes beyond Kaduna State, with beneficiaries in Borno, Plateau and Benue States, while more communities are expected to benefit in the coming days.
Reverend Hayab stressed that humanitarian assistance must go hand in hand with advocacy, noting that hunger and deprivation often weaken peace building efforts.
He said Northern CAN adopts a holistic approach that addresses spiritual, physical, emotional, social and educational needs in order to restore dignity and promote stability within communities.
The 2025 Christmas outreach is described as one of the largest humanitarian interventions by Northern CAN, with plans already in place to sustain similar programmes into 2026.
The Barnabas Aid Foundation, which provided financial and logistical support for the programme, has a long history of supporting vulnerable communities globally, with the partnership highlighting the role of international collaboration in humanitarian response.
Reverend Hayab further revealed that beyond the Christmas season, the association plans to expand its interventions to education, healthcare and livelihood support in 2026, to ensure long term impact.
He described the outreach as more than charity, saying it was a reaffirmation of dignity, love and care for people in need.
Also speaking, Vice Chairman of Northern CAN, Reverend Jonah Samson, said the outreach was in line with biblical injunctions and the example of Jesus Christ, who fed multitudes during His earthly ministry.
Reverend Samson identified the major beneficiaries as victims of persecution and displacement, widows and orphans, and persons living with disabilities, explaining that the distribution was being carried out in batches.
He noted that while the support might not address all challenges, it would provide relief, encouragement and hope at a time of severe economic hardship and rising cost of living.
Reverend Samson added that the gesture cut across denominations and communities, urging beneficiaries to extend love to others, while commending Barnabas Aid for its support.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Village Head of Maraban Rido, Kudansa, Mr. Auta Alkali, expressed appreciation to Northern CAN and its partners for the timely intervention.
Some beneficiaries also expressed gratitude for the gesture, describing it as timely and uplifting during the festive period.
