By Olivia Obijiaku
The Catholic Diocese of Zaria celebrated the silver jubilee anniversary of the existence of the Holy Childhood Association (HCA) in Nigeria, alongside the 2006 Children’s Day Celebration. Presiding over the Mass for the celebrations which held in St Joseph Minor Seminary, Zaria, on the 2026 Children’s Day, Wednesday, May 27, 2026. the Catholic Bishop of Zaria, Most Rev. Dr. Habila Tyiakonaboi Daboh called on members of the association and those of Young Missionary Movement (YOMM), to pray for the safe and speedy release of a priest of the diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ezema who was abducted from his residence, early December, 2025 as well as all others in captivity, including children who could not celebrate the Day with other children.
His Lordship who expressed how happy he was to celebrate the Mass, encouraged them to participate fully at the Mass. He also nudged them to continue being good children who worship God, respect their parents, nannies, neighbours and everyone; and good students, who respect their teachers, take their studies seriously, without engaging in examination practices.
Bishop Daboh clarified that, though HCA’s jubilee is celebrated the same year as the diocese’s, they are each distinct from each other, as the diocese’s would be laced with its own activities and celebrations. He thanked the Director of Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of the diocese, Rev. Fr. Patrick Bako Zichyiang, and the animators for the wonderful work they are doing in the association, also thanking parents for releasing their children to join both HCA and YOMM.
In his response, Fr. Zichyiang thanked the bishop for his love for children and for sponsoring the celebrations. He equally thanked all Parish Priests for supporting the children and their animators in their parishes. He described 2026 Children’s Day Celebration as a unique one, since it coincided with HCA’s twenty-five years of existence in the country. On the duty entrusted to him and his collaborators, the director disclosed through Trinitas News that, “The formation of our children is a divine mandate and we shouldn’t take that for granted, as heavens will ask us to account for them.”
The celebrations had some priests of the diocese in attendance, including the Vicar General, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Pius Kagarko and the host rector, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Bazai. Match pass by parishes and animators; cultural dance by deaneries; egg race, as well as the cutting of the jubilee cake were among the activities that featured at the double celebration.
