Some of the beneficiaries of the Bible and relief materials from BSN

The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) has donated 3,463 copies of assorted Bibles and relief materials valued at over ₦50.3 million to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable members of the public in Borno, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Edo and Lagos states.

The donations, made under The Society’s Macedonian Call initiative, are aimed at addressing the spiritual and physical needs of vulnerable people, particularly those living in IDP camps and slum areas.

The beneficiaries included residents of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) IDP Camp at Wulan, Maiduguri, Borno State, where 423 adults and 200 children received the items. At the New Kuchigoro and Wasa IDP camps in Abuja, 906 adults and 400 children benefited, while 803 adults and 481 children at the Helping Hand Foundation IDP Camp in Benin City, Edo State, also received relief materials.

In Lagos, 150 adults and 100 children who are members of Oke Igbala Spiritual Church of Christ, Isolo, were among the beneficiaries.

Under the distribution arrangement, each adult received a 10-kilogramme bag of rice, vegetable oil and a copy of the Bible, while the children received school bags, notebooks and Bibles.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation during the presentations, the Deputy Manager, Research/Literacy and Programmes, Mr Temitope Omogbemi, said that BSN remained committed to meeting both the spiritual and physical needs of the people.

He explained that while The Society’s primary mission was to make the Bible available, accessible and affordable to transform lives, it also recognised the importance of extending practical assistance to people facing difficult circumstances.

According to him, the Macedonian Call is one of The Society’s intervention programmes designed to support vulnerable people, particularly those in IDP camps and slum communities.

Mr. Omogbemi called on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to support the initiative to enable The Society to extend its reach to more beneficiaries. He added that the programme was inclusive, as beneficiaries are drawn from different religious and ethnic backgrounds.

The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to BSN for the intervention, describing the donations as timely in view of the prevailing economic challenges.

Receiving the items in Lagos, the Primate and Spiritual Head of Oke Igbala Spiritual Church of Christ, Isolo, Rev. Apostle Dr Femi Akunnubi, commended BSN for combining its work of Bible translation and distribution with humanitarian assistance. He described the intervention as particularly relevant at a time when many Nigerians are struggling to meet their basic needs.

“It is good because even when Jesus was ministering, beyond healing, He fed the people. Spiritual food is good, but physical food is also important. Having extended this physical assistance to us, it is wonderful, and I am very happy,” Akunnubi said.

He prayed for God’s continued blessings on BSN, adding that the intervention was especially significant given the country’s current economic situation.

One of the beneficiaries, Evangelist Oluwatosin Kareem, also expressed gratitude to The Society for the support, noting that access to food had become increasingly difficult for many Nigerians.

“We really appreciate you for this. In Nigeria nowadays, some people are even dying because of lack of food. For you to come together and look for the needs of the people, may God meet you at your own point of need,” Kareem said.

She prayed for God’s continued protection, provision and blessings upon The Society and those supporting its humanitarian efforts.

Another beneficiary, Segun Taiwo, described the intervention as “God in action”, noting that it aligned with the theme of his church’s anniversary, which focused on giving back to society.

The Macedonian Call initiative is funded by The Canadian Bible Society and The Australian Bible Society. In addition to Borno, the FCT, Edo and Lagos states, the programme has also reached beneficiaries in Benue, Kaduna, Anambra, Adamawa and Taraba states.