Funerals in Nigeria – Did you know…?

Funerals in Nigeria – celebrated and taken as seriously as weddings?! The death of the beloved Chief Adolf Paster is an opportunity to reflect on how Africans deal with the loss of a loved one. For most Africans, death is just a transition. The deceased will continue to live with the family, albeit in a different, spiritual state, along with the ancestors who have gone before. In Nigeria, a funeral becomes a multi-day celebration attended by all relatives and acquaintances. The festival includes not only mourning for the loss of a loved one and bidding farewell to the deceased but also the joy shared with them over a new life with God. If the family can afford it, these festivities can last several days and include good food, dance, and entertainment.

WAKISO – a vocational training center in Entebbe / Uganda

Johann Schill, a board member and lecturer for artisanal projects at HIFA, supported the expansion of vocational training center WAKISO in Uganda by donating 3,500 € for equipment and tools such as welding and drilling machines, sewing machines, and gas stoves. He also discussed an agricultural project and potential cooperation with project lecturer Dipl. Ing. Festus Imarhiagbe.

Easter in Nigeria

For the estimated 78 million Christians in Nigeria, Easter has a special meaning without gifts. Traditions like the Easter Bunny or egg hunt don’t play a role. People identify with Jesus and his suffering and hope to be redeemed. The celebration of Palm Sunday begins with a 4-5 hour Mass and is accompanied by processions where participants sing and dance with palm fronds.

Easter Meditation

In his Easter meditation, Msgr. Hypolite Adigwe reflects on the suffering of the people in Nigeria and asks where the risen Lord will meet them.

What is behind the “End-SARS” movement?

The #EndSARS protest calls for the dissolution of the notorious SARS police unit in Nigeria. SARS is notorious for abuses and crimes against citizens and has become a target of protests.

Social media – the most important tool of the Nigerian youth at the moment

Social media is the most important tool for Nigerian youth to fight for a better and more just life. The #EndSARS protest started as a Twitter campaign and led to protests against police brutality and corruption throughout the country. Despite the lack of a formal leadership structure, young activists used social media to raise their voice and fight for their cause. Although most protests were peaceful, there were also violent attacks, including the use of military forces against demonstrators in Lekki-Lagos.

Why the End-SARS Movement Still Represents a Sign of Hope

The #EndSARS movement is a historic event in Nigeria. Young people are resisting corruption and oppression in an inspiring way. The movement has brought national unity and gained international support. The Catholic Church is calling for dialogue. The protesters demand the immediate release of detained demonstrators, compensation for victims of the SARS unit, an independent commission to investigate and prosecute crimes committed by the unit, psychological evaluation and retraining of the unit, and better pay for Nigerian police officers. The implementation of these demands remains to be seen.

Christmas meditation from Nigeria

The poem “Make room for everyone” by Hypolite Adigwe asks God to create space for everyone and to consider the needs of the people. It recalls the manger where Jesus was born and calls for opening gates in difficult times to lead a new human life with solidarity and hope.

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Life through self-sufficiency – Support our mission to defeat hunger

HIFA and DI Festus Imarhiagbe are working together to empower the people in the villages of Urulokpa and Lokpa in Nigeria to become self-sufficient through agriculture and small livestock husbandry. The concept aims for a circular economy and will enable people to feed themselves and their families. In March, the first steps of training were initiated. HIFA urgently appeals for support for this project.