By Mohammed Tijjani

The Nigerian Interfaith Action Association (NIFAA) has partnered Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to create awareness on safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the partnership with the religious bodies was to ensure continuous awareness creation among worshippers on COVID-19 safety protocols in worship centres and religious gatherings.

The Programme Manager of NIFAA, Dr Fatima Fanna-Mairami, on advocacy visit to the CAN and JNI secretariats on Monday in Kaduna, said the partnership was to reiterate World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines on COVID-19.

She said the United State Centre for Disease Control had tagged the initiative as ‘The message of hope’, which is being implemented through Caritas Nigeria and supported by NIFAA.

“The important message of hope is to reiterate to the community the importance of the guidelines set by the government and WHO for COVID-19”.

She said, “it is telling people that COVID-19 which had devastated many areas of the economy and lifestyle could be overcome.

“COVID-19 may have put a distance among us, but we still connect, love and hope the best for each other; this message is good for the community to reinforce the guidelines and talk about the union that connects each of us together.”

Also, Mrs Ijeoma Effanga of Caritas Nigeria, said the essence of the partnership with religious bodies was also to break the belief by many people that COVID-19 is a death sentence.

“We urge the religious leaders to disseminate the message of hope on COVID-19 to their followers.

“Whenever they stand on the pulpit, they should assure their followers that we can defeat it and nobody should be afraid, but should abide by the set guidelines.

“If we can abide by the guidelines, COVID-19 can be defeated and we shouldn’t think it is something foreign because it is not, it is not a death sentence but it is killing people, if we obey the guidelines, we can defeat it”, Effanga stressed.

Responding, the CAN Chairman in Kaduna State, Rev. John Hayab, restated their commitment in creating awareness on the COVID-19 protocols.

“We will continue to advocate the use of face masks in religious gatherings and other necessary guidelines in worship centres, we shall overcome all our adversaries”, Hayab said.

Also, the Secretary General of JNI, Dr Khalid Aliyu, said they would continue to ensure adherence to COVID-19 guidelines at worship places and in communities at large.

Represented by Malam Abubakar Gafai, he said cleanliness as emphasised in the Holy Books if abided by all, would mitigate the chances of contracting COVID-19.

“Regular washing of the hands, covering our nose with bent elbows while sneezing and many other guidelines on overcoming contagious diseases and spreading it to others are enshrined in our Holy Books and we will continue to preach it”, Aliyu said.

NAN reports that the JNI and CAN were presented with prayer and sermon guides by NIFAA and Caritas Nigeria. (NAN)

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Edited and published by Maharazu Ahmed

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15 teachers kidnapped in Islamiyya school in Niger escape in Zamfara

Samson Toromade

June 21, 2021 7:20 PM

A combined force of security agencies will comb the forests to rescue the other abducted hostages.

Over 100 students were abducted from Salihu Tanko Islamic School in Niger State [TheCable]

15 of the teachers abducted from a school in Niger State three weeks ago have escaped their captors in neighbouring Zamfara State.

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Bandits' attacked Salihu Tanko Islamic School in Tegina, Rafi local government area of the state on May 30, 2021, and kidnapped 136 students and teachers.

Parents of the hostages, some as young as four years old, have since then accused the government of abandoning them to their fate, with the kidnappers demanding a ransom of N150 million.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello finally met the parents at the palace of the Emir of Kagara, Ahmed Gunna, according to an official statement released on Monday, June 21.

He urged them to exercise patience as government explores all avenues to see to the safe rescue of their children.

The headmaster of the school, Abubakar Alhassan, said during the meeting that 15 of the abducted teachers have escaped their captors in Zamfara.

They have been housed at a military facility in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, and will soon be handed over to the Niger State Government.

Parents of schoolchildren abducted in Niger State [Niger State Government]

The governor later met with a combined force of security agencies to comb the forests to rescue the abducted children.

He said it was time to take decisive action against bandits that are forcefully changing the lives of the people, especially in the rural areas.

"We have to try our possible best not to make them succeed in forcing us to change our normal lives.

"They started by displacing farmers from their farmlands, next moved to burning farms, then moved to kidnappings, and forcing us to close our schools.

"Now they have started attacking Islamic schools. Only God knows what is next," he said.

Bello also called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to ensure that adequate measures are put in place to end banditry in the country.