Boko Haram: Borno CAN seeks compensation from govt

BORNU State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has called on Governor Kashim Shettima to re-visit the issue of compensation to victims of the February 18, 2006 sectarian crises and the Boko Haram attacks. Chairman of the state CAN, Rev. Titus Pona, who spoke during the commissioning of the new CAN office complex in Maiduguri lamented that during the February 18 sectarian crises while several lives were lost, no fewer than 158 churches were destroyed as well as property worth millions of naira. He said though a committee headed by the then secretary to the Borno State Government, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda was set up to ascertain the extent of damage with a view to compensating victims, till today nothing had been heard about recommendations of the committee. While he commended the Governor for demonstrating genuine interest in the restoration of peace in the state, Pona commiserated with victims of the two crises. The CAN chairman appealed to the governor to allow Christians to teach Christian Religious Knowledge, CRK, in public schools and also provide worshiping places for Christians in the government’s housing estates in the state to ensure stronger sense of belonging among the various faiths and ethnic groups in the state. In his address at the occasion, Governor Kashim Shettima who was represented by his commissioner for special duties, Joshua Ishaku Sharah, congratulated the Christian community in Borno State for staying back to develop the state despite the security challenges which had forced many to flee the state. From Vanguard Newspaper