Foundation donates 4,000 bags of rice to Abuja IDPs

The Ssonic Gas Company Foundation in collaboration with Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Initiative, JDPCI, have donated 4,000 bags of rice to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp in Durumi, Abuja.

JDPCI, an agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, and Ssonic Gas Company, also donated 400 packs of cooked food, drinks, and other items to the IDPs as part of the 2026 Easter celebration.

The Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, Ignatius Kaigama, commended the partnership saying that it brought joy and happiness to the downtrodden.

He urged government agencies and other coperate organisations to emulate the foundation and partner with the church to reach the most vulnerable in society.

“This is what I have been asking the government to do, we know these people, we know where they are, we know their level of suffering and hardship.

“They should collaborate with us, we know how to distribute even the food and items that you will bring, because sometimes, these items can cause trouble if distribution is not well managed, and we know how to do it well in a peaceful manner.

“I am happy you have taken the lead to the glory of God; at mass today I said we must touch the lives of people for it is not just enough to be a Christian and have a Christian name.

“You must feel concerned about people and I am happy this is happening today; I also told them at mass that we should not discriminate and here I can see the Muslims and Christians together.

“These food items are not for Christians and Muslims alone but for everyone that is here because we all are made in the image and likeness of God,” he said.

The Archbishop said he was happy to see Muslims and Christians all together adding that that was how Nigeria should be.

“Let us stop the discrimination, let us stop the fanaticism where one will say, I am a Christian and does not care about a Muslim or a Muslims and does not care about a Christian and we compete against one another, it is not good.”

In her remarks, the Managing Director of Ssonic Gas Company Foundation, Ifeoma Douglas said that she was inspired by the spirit of Easter.

She said that the outreach was not just to give but to identify with the IDPs, stand by them and to remind them that they were not alone.

“We gather here not just for an event but for a purpose rooted in compassion, service and for our shared humanity.

“Today shows that beyond titles and background, we are all connected by one simple truth which is, we are one under one God.

“At Ssonic Gas Foundation, our mission has gone beyond business, while we operate in energy, our true commitment is to the people, communities, families and individuals whose strength and resilience continue to inspire us everyday.

“Easter is a season of renewal, a time that tells us that no matter how difficult the journey, hope can be restored, joy can be reborn and light will always overcome darkness,” she said.

According to her, it is in that spirit that we have come here today not just to give but to stand with those who have been internally displaced because true outreach is not just in giving but in connection to let them know that they are not forgotten.

Earlier, the Executive Director, JDPCI, Rev. Fr. Sabastian Sanni commended the foundation for the partnership and prayed God to bless and reward the donors and facilitators.

“We want to thank the foundation for bringing the joy of Easter to the most dispossessed in the society.

“This is best Easter gift you can give to the people, the Easter message is a message of hope and you have brought hope to this camp.

“We pray that this partnership with JDPCI will continue and I pray that through whatever is given today, the Lord will bless you as you have remembered these people.

“We are very happy as a commission to identify with you and we know that this collaboration and strategic partnership will continue,” he said.

Responding, the Camp Coordinator, Mr Idris Halilu, said that interventionist agencies had not been forthcoming saying that 98 per cent of food, cloths and other necessities come from individuals and groups.

He said that IDPs were not welcome in hospitals in Abuja as interventionist agencies do not pay the bills for medical services.

He said that schools were needed in the camp as it would not augur well for the country to allow children grow in ignorance and illiteracy in the 21st century.

“I want to appeal to the Catholic Church in Nigeria to look into this issue of insecurity.

“The Catholic church is the father and mother of all churches and I want them to kick start efforts to address insecurity.

“It is said that the problem is ethno-religious but I do not believe that, it is man’s inhumanity to man, Igbo against Igbo, Yoruba against Yoruba, Hausa against Hausa, Fulani against Fulani; the criminal element only take the opportunity to cause havoc in the society.

“Let the church kickstart a debate and let Nigerians look into their hearts and Nigeria will be great,” he said.
NAN