Christian leaders from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory were in Owo on Monday with a message of hope, and to share relief materials with the surviving victims of the June 5, 2022 terror attack on worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church.
At least, 40 worshippers were killed in the early morning gruesome attack, an incident that shattered the then Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who together with his wife, Betty, spontaneously broke down and wept profusely in public, on getting to the scene of the havoc.
Mondays visit was sponsored with the support of Barnabas Aid UK, which has consistently extended humanitarian assistance to persecuted Christians across four Northern States and one Southern State.
The leaders came under the auspices of Christan Association of Nigeria, CAN, were led by the CAN Chairman in the 19 Northern States and FCT, Rev. Dr. John Joseph Hayab,
Addressing reporters during the visit, Hayab, said the delegation was in Owo to fulfill the biblical injunction that urges believers to “mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice.”
Describing the church as a sacred ground, he said the visit was a demonstration of love, fellowship, and shared pain, especially for the aged men and women who continue to live with the scars of the attack.
Hayab stressed that the right to life and worship of all Nigerians remains a priority, stressing that unity among Christians is essential for national peace and development.
He added that security arrangements around churches in the North have been strengthened, with wisdom and caution applied to ensure peaceful coexistence.
Addressing beneficiaries of the relief materials, he said the delegation came to identify with those affected by the Owo tragedy, noting that similar experiences are common in Northern Nigeria.
He encouraged the victims to celebrate Christmas with joy, reminding them that Christ came to bring hope to a troubled world.
Also, he assured them that justice would ultimately prevail, stating that those responsible for the pain and suffering would face the consequences of their actions.
Also, he observed that Christian unity remains key to ending persistent suffering across the nation.
He said the visit formed part of activities to identify with victims of violence and promote unity among Christians and people of different faiths across Nigeria.
Items distributed during the event included half bags of rice and three tubers of yam for each of the beneficiaries, while additional supplies such as sugar, garri, beans, salt, seasoning cubes, palm oil, and groundnut oil are expected to arrive later.
In his welcome address, the CAN Chairman in Ondo State, Rev. Fr. Anselm Olorunfemi Ologunwa, thanked the team for the kind gesture.
He described the visit as a powerful symbol of solidarity, noting that Owo remains a painful reminder of the 2022 attack on worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church.
However, he noted that the presence of the northerern CAN leadership demonstrated that the pain of one part of the country is shared by the entire body of Christ.
According to him, the visit sent a strong message that Christians across regions stand together against hatred, division, and religious extremism.
The Ondo CAN chairman expressed gratitude to Rev. Hayab and his delegation for their show of love and unity, stressing that Nigeria is currently grappling with multiple security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and communal conflicts.
He said these crises have resulted in loss of many lives, displacement of communities, and economic hardship, making collective advocacy for peace and justice imperative.
Ologunwa also commended the delegation for the relief materials brought for victims of the Owo church attack and those affected by the recent communal clash in Gbalegi, Idanre.
He acknowledged the support of Barnabas’ Aid UK and other partners, noting that the assistance would help restore dignity to the victims and reinforce ongoing efforts at healing and reconciliation within affected communities.
The cleric described the visit as a turning point and a call for renewed national unity, interfaith cooperation, and sustained advocacy for improved security in Nigeria.
He prayed for healing for grieving families, wisdom for national leaders, and lasting peace across the country, expressing hope that Nigeria would emerge stronger through unity and shared responsibility.
The delegation also visited some survivors in their homes. One of them, Mrs. Olayinka Rasheedat Dapo, who has been bedridden since the attack, told reporters that she has lived in constant pain for over three years.
She said doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, advised overseas plastic surgery to help her regain mobility, but financial constraints have stalled the process.
Another survivor, Mrs. Attah Olayemi Margaret, a nurse with the Ondo State Hospital Management Board, said she has been confined to a wheelchair since the incident and appealed to the government for assistance with proper mobility aids.
Other beneficiaries, including Mrs. Adedokun Titilayo and several wheelchair-bound survivors, expressed gratitude to CAN, Barnabas Aid UK, and all donors for remembering them during the Christmas and New Year season. They said the gesture would go a long way in easing their hardship and restoring hope as they continue their journey of healing.
Meanwhile, relief and gratitude filled the air at Gbalegi community in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday as victims of last year’s communal clash, alongside aged men and women and persons living with disabilities also received their portions of the food items.
The beneficiaries were presented with bags of rice and tubers of yam as part of efforts to ease their hardship during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Addressing the gathering, the Ondo State Chairman of CAN explained that the intervention was driven by compassion and a commitment to stand with suffering communities by the leadership of CAN in Northern Nigeria.
He said that the association had undertaken extensive efforts to locate Gbalegi to reach those affected by the crisis, stressing that the gesture was meant to restore hope, dignity, and a sense of belonging to the people.
Responding on behalf of the community, the Baale and Central Chairman of Gbalegi, Mr. Agboola Rotimi, expressed deep appreciation for the visit and the support.
He described the intervention as timely and reassuring, noting that it would go a long way in providing succour to the people and enabling them to celebrate the festive season with renewed hope and joy.
