By IBRAHIM HASSAN, Wuyo

Muslim and Christian leaders across the Northern part of Nigeria have called on the famous musician, David Adeleke, aka, Davido and other celebrities to extend humanitarian gesture to the North.

Speaking on behalf of the religious leaders,thegeneral overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry Sabon Tasha Kaduna state in North western Nigeria ,Pastor Yohanna Buru said he and other and top Northern Muslims and Christians clerics would like to draw the attention Davido that the North is in dire need of humanitarian assistance and now is the best time for such gesture.

He said humanitarian assistance is needed in someNorthern Nigerian orphanage homes,in view of the increasing orphans and widows that are in a critical need of such support ,

Buru called on the entire Northern -traditional and modern musicians, top celebrities, actors, film industries and wealthy individuals and corporate organizations to emulate Davido’s gesture with the aimes of reducing hardship faced by millions of orphans and widows in the region.

According to him, there is need for all the Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and all concernedCivil society of Groups in Nigeria (CSOs) with association with NEMA,SEMA,UNICEF,WHO and other child protection organizations across the country , to strengthen sucha wonderful gesture which is geared toward reducing hardship being faced by some of the orphansin the country,most especially in the North-east and North-west region.

Buru made the call at an interactive session with other Christians and Muslims clerics to promote peaceful co-existence among different faith-based organizations and encourage unity in Kaduna to mark the end of world international Tolerance week as recognized by the United Nations .

“The call becomes mandatory in view oftheMillions of childrenthat are forced toturn into orphansdue to Boko haram attacks ,cattle rustling ,banditry ,kidnapping ,Terrorismand ethno-religious ,political attacks that have been disturbing peace and stability in many communities across the North,” he said.

The cleric drew the attention of all local government chairmen across the 774 LGs in the country ,to render support towards changing the lives of orphans for a better future.

“Large number of children were turned into orphans due to continuous bandit attacks in the North and hence the need to appeal to Davido and other too wealthy musiciansto kindly remember some orphanage homes and some kids at various IDP CAMPS across the northern part of the country.”

“The primary objective of humanitarian aid isto save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity. It may, therefore, be distinguished from development aid, which seeks to address the underlying socioeconomic factors which may have led to a crisis or emergency,” he said.

He called on Davido to also consider the orphanage homes in the North when disbursingthe N 250 million which he earmarked for humanitarian services for orphanage homes in the South.

“There are many blessings awaiting for Davido on earth and in Paradise. AlmightyGod has a way of blessing any one that helps orphans or widows,”he said.

Hecalled on the National President of Performing Musician Associations of Nigeria to be organizing concerts geared toward raising funds to help the Internally displaced persons (IDPs ) and orphanage homes across the country.

“Humanitarian aid is important because itprovides life-saving assistance to people affected by conflicts, disasters and poverty. Humanitarian aid is vital in reducing the impact of crises on communities, helping recovery and improving preparedness for future emergencies,” he said.

(Text excluding headline courtesy Saturday Vanguard)