Abuja Reports
HTM Stampede: Not Church’s ‘NEGLIGENCE’ – Archbishop Kaigama
…says incident reflects hunger in the land
By Samson Adeyanju
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama has dismissed claims that negligence by the Church led to the tragic stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, during a food distribution exercise on December 21, 2024.
Speaking during a memorial Mass for the victims, Archbishop Kaigama emphasized that the annual charity outreach organized by the St. Vincent de Paul Society had been successfully conducted for decades without incident.
The 2024 tragedy, he explained, was a consequence of the worsening economic hardship in Nigeria, which saw an unprecedented turnout of over 5,000 people in desperate need of food and essentials.
“It was not because we were negligent that they came; it was because they were hungry,” the Archbishop stated firmly, adding that “If you are looking for a culprit, cast your eyes elsewhere—certainly not the Catholic Church.”
The Local Ordinary of Abuja Archdiocese underscored the Church’s long-standing commitment to humanitarian efforts, noting that the Catholic Church remains the world’s largest non-governmental provider of healthcare and social services.
He then called for enhanced crowd control measures in future distributions and urged government collaboration in addressing the underlying causes of hunger and poverty.
Despite the tragedy, the Archbishop declared the Parish Priest, Fr. Moses Jimbili, the President of St. Vincent de Paul of Maitama Parish, Ms Juliet Onwuemelia and their team as Heroes and Heroines of 2024 for their selfless dedication to the poor.
He reaffirmed the Church’s resolve to continue its mission of service while ensuring safer means of assistance in the future.
Expressing gratitude to the congregation for their solidarity following the tragic December 21 food-sharing incident, which claimed 10 lives and injured several women and children, the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Rev. Fr Moses Jimbili, has commended the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, for his swift response and unwavering support.
Speaking during a Mass held in remembrance of the victims, Fr. Jimbili revealed, saying “From the very moment the Archbishop heard about the incident, he left everything he was doing and came over to see for himself.
“He also sent the Justice, Development, and Peace Commission (JDPC), and other authorities to guide us in handling the situation,” he stated.
Fr Jimbili reassured the congregation that the tragedy would not deter the Church from its mission of charity.
“We have been doing this for decades, quietly. While this incident is unfortunate, it has also drawn attention to the good works of the Catholic Church.
“We will not be discouraged but will continue to strategize and carry out our mission,” he said.
He confirmed that the food items intended for the December 21 event had been redirected to other parishes and successfully distributed to those in need.
He also acknowledged his invitation by security agencies to explain the incident, describing it as a natural step given his leadership role.
Emphasizing the inclusivity of the Church’s charity efforts, Fr. Jimbili stated, “When people come to benefit from our charity, we don’t consider their denomination or religion. All we see are people in need, and we give them food.”
Addressing members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP), he urged them to remain steadfast despite the tragedy, describing it as an “occupational hazard” in their mission of service.
“We must remain focused and committed to our calling. Charity is the essence and mission of the Church,” he encouraged.
AIG Ben Igwe, in a conversation with Good Shepherd Newspaper, discussed the collaboration between the Church and security agencies to prevent future incidents.
Igwe expressed gratitude for being part of the commemoration, highlighting his role in managing the situation alongside the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
He emphasized that the lessons learned from the incident would help prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“We have been meeting and addressing the issues, and by the grace of God, it will not happen again. We have learned a lot, and next time, it will be handled differently,” Igwe stated.
He also noted that the Church has committed to providing additional palliatives for future charity events to ensure better coordination and safety.
Igwe reiterated the importance of continued collaboration between the Church and security agencies to safeguard participants in future charitable initiatives.
By Samson Adeyanju
Atoyebi Adewumi has emerged winner of the fourth edition of the National Essay Competition, beating more than 2,000 contestants in an intellectual contest aimed at promoting academic excellence, critical thinking and creative writing among young Nigerians.
The competition, which focused on the relevance of taxation to national development, challenged participants to examine the role of tax revenue in financing public services, stimulating economic growth and strengthening the relationship between government and citizens.
The initiative provided a platform for young Nigerians to demonstrate their writing skills, articulate informed perspectives on national issues and contribute ideas towards building a more responsible and progressive society.
Speaking after being declared winner, an elated Adewumi expressed gratitude to the convener, Foluso Sylvanus Ojo, and the organising team for providing young Nigerians with an opportunity to showcase their intellectual abilities.
“I am so glad, very, very glad, to have this privilege of emerging as the winner. I am grateful to the convener and the entire team, as well as everyone who supported this vision,” Adewumi said.
In his remarks, Ojo expressed concern over the tendency to criticise the attitudes and lifestyles of younger generations without providing adequate opportunities to nurture their talents and channel their energies towards productive pursuits.
He called on the government, corporate organisations and nongovernmental organisations to invest more in educational initiatives that promote intellectual excellence, creativity and responsible citizenship.
According to him, sustained investment in academic competitions and youth development programmes would encourage discipline, innovation and a stronger commitment to national development.
Drawing a comparison with the substantial cash prizes awarded in some reality television competitions in Nigeria, Ojo argued that students and intellectually gifted young Nigerians deserved greater recognition, financial support and encouragement.
“I believe the government should support initiatives like this because individuals need supportive hands, especially from the government. When they receive such support, they become more confident and motivated to continue their good work,” he said.
Ojo maintained that society could not continue to complain about the attitudes and lifestyles of young people without deliberately investing in programmes that encourage positive values and productive engagement.
The fourth edition of the competition also underscored the importance of tax awareness among young Nigerians, highlighting how effective taxation, transparency and accountable governance could contribute to improved infrastructure, education, healthcare and other essential public services.
Beyond celebrating the winner, the competition reinforced the need to identify, encourage and empower emerging intellectual talents capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
Winner of the 5,000,000 naira 
Winner of 3,000,000 naira 
Winner of 2,000,000
All the participants
By Samson Adeyanju
Twenty finalists from across Nigeria have begun the final stage of the fourth edition of the National Essay Competition in Abuja, following an orientation session designed to prepare them for the decisive examination.
The finalists arrived in the Federal Capital Territory for a four-day, all-expenses-paid programme featuring the essay examination, institutional tours and opportunities for learning and networking.
The competition, the brainchild of Mr Foluso Ojo, is sponsored by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).
Ahead of the examination, the finalists participated in an orientation session led by Professor Omotosho Borisade of Ekiti State University, who serves as the competition’s umpire.
The session familiarised participants with the competition’s rules and regulations, examination guidelines and assessment criteria, helping them understand the requirements of the final stage.
The essay examination is scheduled to begin today at 9 a.m., after which the finalists are expected to embark on institutional tours around Abuja.
The programme is designed to extend beyond the contest itself, exposing the finalists to new learning opportunities, professional connections and experiences in the nation’s capital.
The competition brings together young Nigerians to demonstrate their writing ability, knowledge, creativity and critical-thinking skills as they compete for the top honours.
With the finalists prepared for the examination, attention now turns to their performance and the eventual emergence of the competition’s champion.
Atoyebi Adewumi Wins 4th National Essay Competition, Beats 2,000 Contestants
20 Finalists Begin Final Stage of National Essay Competition
Pastor Ogundipe Decries Lack of Integrity Among Educated Nigerians
