Northern Christian Association donates borehole to Kaduna community

The Northern Christian Association (NCA), with support from the Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, has donated and commissioned a borehole in Kurmin Wali community of the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, bringing relief to residents months after the community was thrown into global limelight following the abduction of over 170 worshippers by bandits.

The attack, which occurred in three different churches in the community, sparked outrage across the country and beyond, drawing attention to the plight of rural communities ravaged by insecurity in northern Nigeria.

Commissioning the borehole on Saturday, Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, said the intervention was a demonstration of practical love and solidarity with a community that has endured pain and neglect, by NCA with support from Fountain of Life Church in Lagos through their Senior Pastor, Rev. Jimmy Odukoya.

Hayab recalled that when members of the association first visited Kurmin Wali after the abduction, they discovered that the community lacked basic amenities, particularly access to clean water.

“We are here because our brothers and sisters in Kurmin Wali were attacked some months ago, and many worshippers in three churches were taken away. Though they were later rescued and returned home, we noticed a major gap in the community as there was no basic amenity for the people to enjoy.

“As we continued to speak about their plight, brethren from the Fountain of Life Church in Lagos, through their Senior Pastor, Rev. Jimmy Odukoya, reached out and offered to help. When the community informed us that access to water was one of their greatest needs, we immediately swung into action,” he said.

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According to him, the borehole project was completed to ease the suffering of the people and improve their living conditions.

“The last time we came here, it was a period of sorrow and tears, but today the women are smiling because they now have water to cook, bathe and carry out other domestic activities. This is the kind of practical love that communities in distress need,” he added.

Hayab noted that the NCA has continued to provide support to victims of violence and insecurity across northern Nigeria through scholarships for children, empowerment programmes for women, and assistance to widows and orphans.

He, however, said the needs of affected communities remain enormous and called on well-meaning Nigerians, faith-based organisations and philanthropists to support humanitarian interventions in vulnerable communities.

“We cannot continue to complain that people have been neglected without doing little things to demonstrate love and compassion. With the little resources available to us, we are touching lives in different communities and restoring hope to those in distress,” he said.

The NCA chairman also urged the Kaduna State Government to fulfil promises made to the community following the mass abduction incident.

According to him, government officials had visited the community and promised to provide critical infrastructure, but the promises are yet to materialise.

“This is a wake-up call. If promises are made to people who are already in pain, such promises should be fulfilled. We believe the government can still come and deliver on the commitments made to this community,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Kaduna State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, commended the NCA for its continuous humanitarian interventions across northern Nigeria.

He described the donation of the borehole as a life-changing intervention, noting that access to clean water remains one of the biggest challenges confronting many rural communities.

“Whoever gives water gives life. We thank God for using the NCA and its partners to put smiles on the faces of these people. We pray that God will continue to bless the donors and replenish their resources,” he said.

The Village Head of Kurmin Wali, Ishaku Dan’azumi, expressed gratitude to the NCA and Fountain of Life Church for coming to the aid of the community.

He said despite the trauma suffered by the community following the mass abduction, residents have continued to struggle without basic infrastructure.

“When the incident happened, the government promised us a hospital, a military base and road construction, but till now we have not seen any of them. We know the government has many responsibilities, but we are appealing for assistance because of our peculiar situation,” the traditional ruler said.

For the people of Kurmin Wali, the newly commissioned borehole is more than a source of water. It is a symbol that they have not been forgotten and that even in the aftermath of tragedy, compassion and collective support can help communities begin the journey of healing and recovery.