The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monday announced a N25 million donation to victims of the Christmas Day bomb blast at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State.
CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who made the donation on behalf of the management of the apex bank, described the terror attack as tragic not just because it took place on a holy day or holy place but the fact that it was an assault on an entire faith.
He said the attackers apparently don’t want peace and unity to reign in the country but expressed gratitude to God that their efforts are currently being frustrated.
“It’s a kind of thing for only those who do not wish us peace and unity would do,” he said.
Sanusi, who also expressed his condolence to those who lost their lives as well as the injured, and called for a concerted effort by all Nigerians towards arresting the present security challenges.
He said the board of the CBN, had in 2006 approved a policy framework for corporate social responsibility to intervene on some occasions.
Sanusi said although money could not bring back life, “the policy document encourages the bank to render assistance in critical circumstances such as the unfortunate loss of lives.”
He added that the CBN board had met and approved the donations to the church as well as to the Kano bomb victims.
The apex bank boss explained that he was originally scheduled to make the donation to the church first before proceeding to Kano but the Church Priest, Rev. Isaac Achi, was unavailable at the time.
Sanusi said he was personally touched by the incident because he has had a close relationship with the church from his youth, having been educated at St. Anne’s Catholic Primary in Kaduna.
Responding to the gesture, Archbishop of the Minna Diocess, Martin Igwemezie Uzrukwu, expressed the church's appreciation for the assistance and prayed that God should grant the departed souls eternal rest.
Earlier, Rev. Fr. Achi, had said 44 Nigerians lost their lives in the attack while a total of 127 persons were affected.
He said eight out of the injured ones were currently at the National Hospital Abuja; four at the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital. Some of them were said to have lost their sights.
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