Catholic Diocese of Yola Provides Emergency Food Relief to 60 Displaced Families

(BY: WALBE OGAK)

YO

The Catholic Diocese of Yola has distributed emergency food items to 60 internally displaced persons and refugee returnee families at the Fombina IDPs Camp in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The intervention, carried out through the Diocese's Justice, Development and Peace Commission, JDPC/Caritas, was made possible with support from the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood, Ladywell, Great Britain.

The food distribution, which began around noon at the camp near Fombina FM, brought relief to vulnerable households facing severe food shortages.

The Fombina Camp accommodates displaced persons from Borno State alongside refugee returnees from neighbouring Cameroon. Many residents continue to live in makeshift grass-thatched shelters with limited access to food, healthcare, and other basic necessities.

Women, children, pregnant mothers, and elderly persons are among the most vulnerable, facing heightened risks of hunger, malnutrition, and disease.

Speaking during the exercise, the Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Most Reverend Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza, reaffirmed the Diocese's commitment to supporting victims of conflict and displacement. He noted that while the food assistance would ease immediate hardship, sustained efforts by government, humanitarian agencies, and development partners are needed to provide lasting solutions.

The Diocese also called for increased humanitarian support, including improved food security, durable shelter, expanded healthcare services, stronger collaboration among stakeholders, and livelihood programmes to help displaced families rebuild their lives.

The Catholic Diocese of Yola, through its JDPC/Caritas, has continued to provide humanitarian assistance across Adamawa State, including food support, shelter, education, psychosocial care, and pastoral services to communities affected by insurgency and displacement.

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Doeyok's Legislative Vision: Pension Reform, Meritocracy and Tourism as Pillars for 2027

( WALBE OGAK)

As political activities gather momentum ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections, aspirants are beginning to define the issues they intend to champion if elected. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Social Media Day celebration organised by the Bloggers Association of Plateau State at the Usiju World Event Centre in Jos, former Plateau State Commissioner for Tourism and Hospitality and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Qua'an-Pan South State House of Assembly, Hon. Cornelius Doeyok, outlined a legislative agenda anchored on social media regulation, pension reform, merit-based leadership and economic development through tourism and the creative industries.

Doeyok said the rapid expansion of social media has transformed the way people access information but has also encouraged the spread of fake news, misinformation and unverified reports. He argued that while digital platforms remain valuable tools for communication, they require regulatory measures that promote accountability, authenticity and responsible journalism.

According to him, regulating social media should not be viewed as censorship but as a necessary step towards restoring public confidence in online information and ensuring that digital platforms continue to educate, inform and entertain responsibly.

Beyond digital governance, Doeyok called on the electorate to prioritise competence, integrity and credibility when choosing leaders. He argued that merit rather than political patronage should determine who occupies public office and stressed that effective lawmaking remains one of the strongest instruments for driving sustainable development.

Pension reform also featured prominently in his policy proposals. He lamented the bureaucratic hurdles, repeated verification exercises and unnecessary hardship many retirees face in accessing their pensions, describing the situation as unjust for citizens who had served the nation faithfully.

He pledged to sponsor legislation that would simplify pension administration, eliminate unnecessary delays and guarantee retirees timely access to their benefits with dignity.

Drawing on his experience as former Commissioner for Tourism and Hospitality, Doeyok identified Plateau State's tourism, cultural heritage and creative industries as underutilised sectors capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and boosting internally generated revenue.

He maintained that with the right legislative support, strategic investments and private sector collaboration, Plateau State could become a leading tourism destination while providing new opportunities for young people through the creative economy.

As campaigns gradually build towards the 2027 elections, Doeyok's policy agenda presents a vision that links governance reforms with economic diversification. Whether these proposals resonate with voters in Qua'an-Pan South will become clearer in the months ahead, but his focus on pension reform, responsible digital engagement, merit-based leadership and tourism-driven development signals the priorities he hopes to advance in the Plateau State House of Assembly if elected.

JDPC Strengthens Peace Clubs in Adamawa Schools, Trains 735 Students

(By WALBE OGAK)

In a renewed effort to promote peace and peaceful coexistence among young people, the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), with the support of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), has strengthened Peace Clubs in selected secondary schools across Adamawa State, training no fewer than 735 students in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

The initiative, which drew participants from all 21 Local Government Areas of the state, is part of JDPC's broader commitment to nurturing a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and non-violence among the younger generation.

During the training, students were equipped with practical knowledge and skills in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, dialogue, tolerance, and non-violent communication. The programme was designed to prepare them to become agents of positive change capable of resolving disputes peacefully within their schools and communities.

According to the commission, the Peace Clubs serve as platforms for promoting understanding among students from diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. By encouraging dialogue and mutual respect, the clubs are expected to help reduce violence and strengthen social cohesion across the state.

JDPC noted that empowering young people with peacebuilding skills is critical to building resilient communities, particularly in a society where differences can easily be exploited to fuel conflict.

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining peace education through strategic partnerships, especially with the Mennonite Central Committee, stressing that investing in young people remains one of the most effective ways of securing lasting peace and development.

As the trained students return to their respective schools, they are expected to serve as peace ambassadors, championing tolerance, unity, and constructive dialogue while inspiring their peers to embrace non-violent approaches to resolving conflicts.

The initiative reflects the growing recognition that lasting peace begins with educating the younger generation and empowering them to become active participants in building a more peaceful and united society.