By: Rev Fr Alphonsus Terseer Utume
(Coordinator, Migrants and Refugees Unit)
The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, through the offices of Foundation for Justice and Peace and Migrants and Refugees Unit, recently marked the World Day of the Poor with a special solidarity visit to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Mega Camp along Gbajimba Road, Makurdi, reaffirming the Church’s commitment to compassion, human dignity, and social justice.
Speaking during the event, Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Terseer Utume, Rev. Fr. Philip Doolumun Apuu and Very Rev. Fr. Solomon Ukeyima, in respective remarks, emphasized that the World Day of the Poor, observed by the Universal Church, serves as a reminder of Christ’s call to stand with the poor, the vulnerable, and those pushed to the margins of society. They noted that the presence of the Church at the camp was an expression of faith in action and a sign of hope for displaced families.
The coordinators of the Church agencies acknowledged the profound suffering experienced by the IDPs, including the loss of homes, livelihoods, and security, while also commending their resilience and steadfast faith in the face of hardship. The Church leaders assured the displaced persons that they are not forgotten and that the Church continues to accompany them spiritually, morally, and materially.
On behalf of the Diocese of Makurdi, the agencies also used the occasion to call on government authorities, humanitarian agencies, and well-meaning individuals to intensify efforts toward providing sustainable support, ensuring safety, and finding lasting solutions to the challenges of internal displacement.
The event featured prayers, words of encouragement, and acts of charity, reinforcing the message that caring for the poor is central to the Gospel and essential to building a more just and peaceful society.
The celebration concluded by entrusting all displaced persons and the poor to God’s loving care, praying for comfort for the afflicted, strength for the weary, and lasting peace in Benue State and Nigeria at large.
Long live the Bishop Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe CMF.
Long live Foundation for Justice, Development and Peace.
Long live Migrants and Refugees Unit.
