By Olivia Obijiaku
The Chief Shepherd of HB the Catholic Diocese of Zaria, Most Revd. Dr. Habila Tyiakwonaboi Daboh has revealed his intention to support efforts made at raising godly children in his diocese. He also promised to journey with them in the course of his episcopacy.
His Lordship disclosed this on the occasion of Children’s Day Celebration which took place in St Joseph Minor Seminary Zaria on Monday 27th May, 2024 where he solicited for support from stakeholders.
He said, “We have a sacred responsibility to nurture these children. I, being the Chief Shepherd of this diocese, I am ready to champion this course. These children are a special gift from God and any gift from God is a gift to be cherished. I will live to cherish them.
I will like you, the animators to support us. You are like those at the grass root. We want to journey together. Your pain will be our pain and our pain will be yours as well.
My dear children, I want to assure you that we are with you. We love you. You are our own, whatever the situation, we will never leave you alone. We will ensure that we nurture you accordingly according to the heart of Jesus. Since you are children of God, we will also do that with you.
My dear people, let u relax. Let us enjoy the gift that God has given us, our children, so that we will also know the areas we can come in to help them to grow. With this, I want to assure you that we will be here to enjoy ourselves through the courtesy of our children.”
In her welcome address, the Diocesan Coordinator of Holy Childhood Association (HCA), Mrs. Christiana Ekenta conveyed that the association was found in France in 1843 by Bishop Charles de Forbin Janson aims at encouraging all children to be aware of the needs of children living in mission dioceses throughout the world. “Bishop Charles de Forbin Janson always had keen interest in the mission.” She added. ”He was a great preacher and traveled throughout France preaching the Gospel.
He received letters from missionaries in China requesting his financial help to save starving and abandoned babies there. He did not know how to raise these fund and met with Pauline Jaricot who had already begun to raise funds for mission diocese. She advised him to start a children’s charity and HCA was formed. “
With the motto, ‘Children Helping Children,’ the association which was made a Pontifical Mission Society in 1922 by Pope Pius XI and has spread across the world, including Nigeria, where Rev. Msgr. Hypolite Adigwe formed the Young Missionary Movement (YOMM), for children above fourteen years – age limit for HCA. YOMM embarks on a higher mission to evangelize fellow youths and preach Christ to the world, having the slogan, ‘Missio Nigeria… Christ to the Whole World.’
In Zaria diocese, some children have benefitted from the scholarship scheme championed by the Diocesan Director of PMS, Rev Fr. Patrick Bako Zichyiang.
