ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Solomon Mfa, has continued to surprise the people of Benue with his likeness to better the lives of the less privileged, especially those of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the State.
Father Mfa has become a household name for humanitarian services as he evidently makes life easy for the have-nots of society.
In October 2020, the Priest had made a dream come true for nonagenarian Mama Agatha Kwasena Awua popularly known as ‘Mama Six Eggs’ after she visited with a gift of six eggs to console Mfa, who at the time was robbed.
Unknown to the old woman, her six eggs gift became the foundation of a beautiful dream home that ended her nightmare in a dilapidated hut she once lived after the priest traced her to the house only to find out her pitiable condition.
Having been displaced thrice by armed men from various parishes he served across the state, Mfa currently works as the Parish Priest in charge of the Pastoral unit at Apir. He is also in charge of the Deanery.
“I’m a voice and hand for the IDPs. God saved me in three incidents from herdsmen attacks. I’m a three-time IDP,” he stated laughingly.
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The Priest also barbs the hairs of IDPs occasionally, apart from regularly caring for the displaced people in various ways by mobilizing food to the camp.
Padre as Mfa is fondly referred to by parishioners and acquaintances, recently conceived an idea to cook and feed IDPs, an event expected to hold 14 July, 2023.
Speaking with Daily Trust, he noted that the gesture would help to draw attention to the plights of the IDPs who are still languishing in various camps across the state.
“The event is a very simple thing but significant for all Benue people. We have IDPs who solely depend on the generosity of others; we are not cooking to break records but we are going to break the hunger of the IDPs.
“So, with the little resources at our disposal, we want to show them that we are with them and that we are praying for them and the outside world should know too that some of our brothers are still ranched in the camp because they are there and still there.
“We want to let the world know that they are still there; through that means we can show the world their plight. That’s why we insist on doing it despite the hard times. The world should know what they are going through and help, so that they can return to their homes.
“And if their homes are still occupied, NEMA should know that there is a humanitarian challenge here so that if they are doing their normal distribution to the states, let them know that Benue still has people who are in the camp. If we neglect them and they die of hunger or medical neglect, then, when normalcy returns, who are those who will go back to their homes?” he asked.
Explaining further, the cleric said not all IDP camps will benefit from the food cooked on that day but they all will still benefit afterwards from proceeds that may be gotten through the event.
He disclosed also that the venue of the event would be at the camp one situated between Daudu and Ukpiam in Guma Local Government Area of the state, a location where the UNHCR built some structures for the IDPs, adding that if the food prepared on the day becomes much, efforts would be made by his team to take some to Ukpiam Camp.
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He explained that the cooking will be for a day, noting that people have already contributed yams, garri, chicken and so on.
“For me, that people could sacrifice the little they have is something big. At a point, I had more chef volunteers than the food that was coming; people were just volunteering their services – that’s huge.”
However, the IDPs have not been informed of the big food festival coming to their doorstep except for those on social media who might have sighted the publicity for the event as according to the priest, the fear of informing them was hinged on the fact that others will leave the other camps to join their counterparts at the venue.
Meanwhile, there would be distribution of essential items like soap, clothing and toiletries to the IDPs at the event.
He said the gesture would be a continuation of his generosity towards the IDPs whom he had consistently fed as well as showed concern for their health and sanitary condition.
For instance, he sometimes takes health workers to the different camps to treat their minor ailments and give them a sense of belonging.
The priest said: “As long as the IDPs remain there, we will keep doing it. It’s something we will continue because we can’t just put everything on government. The government is you and I. We can all do the little we can to make the world better. Those whom God has blessed, especially, should see their storeroom as a channel of blessings not what to be stored.”