It was a beautiful Christmas for many in Abuja, courtesy of government which distributed distributed bags of rice, cartons of vegetable oil and cows to 12 welfare associations of the needy.
The associations are of the School for the Handicapped, Kuje; School for the Deaf, Kuje; School for the Blind, Jabi; Lepers colony, Yangoji; Kari Majiji Disabled Community; Motherless Babies’ Home, Karu; Blind Persons, Kari Majiji; and Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, Bwari.
Others are; Unity Orphanage Home, Gwako; FCT Para Soccer Team, Area 10, Garki; Community Based Vocational Centre, Old Karu; and Community Based Vocational Rehabilitation centre, Zuba.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, who delivered the food items, called on residents of the Territory to also imbibe the spirit of giving and good neighbourliness as exemplified in the teachings of Jesus Christ, according to Mr. Anthony Ogunleye, in a statement from the office of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
He wished residents a merry Christmas, while thanking the Almighty God for sparing their lives to witness yet another Christmas.
He explained that the reason for the gesture by the FCTA was to enable the less privileged in the society enjoy the joys of the season just like the rest of the society, calling on representatives of the benefitting associations to ensure that the items were judiciously used.
The Permanent Secretary enjoined them to use the Christmas season to preach peace and unity in their domains as well as enlighten their members on the need to cooperate with government on policies aimed at ensuring road traffic sanity in the nation’s capital.
He said: “As leaders and influencers of various communities and organisations in the FCT, please use the occasion of Christmas to preach peace harmony and unity in your various domains. You are also enjoined to enlighten members of your communities on the need to cooperate with government on the implementation of the safe, functional and efficient traffic policy of the FCTA”.
In a welcome address, the Director, Protocol Department, Alhaji Sani Daura, represented by Mr. Terfa Agor said twelve welfare associations benefitted from the largesse He also commended the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello for making it possible for the needy in the society to have a joyous Christmas.
Speaking on behalf of the benefitting associations, the Principal, Vocational Rehabilitation centre, Bwari, Comrade Bala Tsoho Musa described the gesture from the FCTA as a duty mandated by God for ‘those that have to do unto those that do not have’.
He prayed that the gifts presented by the FCTA will be a blessing to the management and staff of the Administration as well as peace and harmony in the FCT.
