Okija Stampede: Bishop Ezeokafor amAdvocates Decentralized Palliative Distribution

By Praise Chinecherem

Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor has called for decentralization of sharing of palliatives to poor Nigerians to forestall the incidents of fatal stampedes witnessed across the country recently.

Ezeokafor who made the call while delivering his Christmas message in Awka expressed worry over the loss of precious lives during the sharing of rice and other material gifts to people in Ibadan, Abuja and Okija, Anambra State, saying such could have been avoided if the exercises were decentralized.

According to the Prelate, philantropists, government and charity organizations who wish to share palliatives to indigent Nigerians should exploit the platforms of religious organizations and community for effective and more strategic distribution to the right class of people.

“The church and community leaders know their members very well and are in a better position to reach out to those who actually need the palliatives in a more orderly and less chaotic manner. Even those who do not show up will eventually receive their share because the church or community leaders know them.

“This will drastically reduce the crowded atmosphere we have seen in recent times at such events” the Bishop said.

While calling on government at all levels to prioritize the welfare of poor Nigerians, the bishop decried a situation where the national and states budgets do not reflect hope for the common people.

“The various loans we access should be put into productive ventures and not squandered on frivolous things, he reiterated.

Ezeokafor challenged Nigerians not to loose hope, expressing optimism that the nation would be great eventually.

“Despite the unprecedented hardships and economic woes occasioned by leadership malfunction, I strongly believe that Nigeria will be great again. Bad leadership will not continue forever. Someday we will heave a sigh of relief when we enthrone good governance,” he quipped.

Describing Christmas as fundamentally, a celebration of God’s love for humanity, the Catholic Bishop said Christians should see themselves as highly favored by being alive to celebrate another Christmas.

He said the love God has for lost humanity prompted the advent of Jesus Christ, while calling on Christians in Nigeria to reciprocate the unconditional love of God by serving God and humanity.

The Church leader who noted that Christmas celebration should be more spiritual than material, challenged Christians to be in good terms with God and humanity.

“Christians should be in State of Grace by availing themselves the sacrament of reconciliation” he said.

Bishop Ezeokafor advised people to stick with their individual and family budgets while celebrating Christmas and being mindful of bills, school fees, and other expenses waiting for them in January.

The Frontline Cleric commended the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo on the giant strides his administration is making in road infrastructure, education and youth empowerment.

He however expressed sadness with the state of insecurity ravaging the state in recent times, calling on government to rise to the ocassion.

“It’s disheartening that a prominent retired Arch Bishop of the Anglican Church and his driver went missing for several weeks now while on a pastoral assignment to Umuchu.

“Till date no one could say where he is. I call on the government to do something serious about it. I am happy that the Governor has come up with a security plan code-named Operation Udo Ga Adi. It should be well implemented to tackle insecurity head on in our dear state,” he added.

Ezeokafor called on ndi Anambra to massively support the present administration for far reaching positive results while calling on criminals to turn a new leaf in the spirit of Christmas.

“Those of them in bushes should come out and lead a good life because no sane person lives in isolation in the bush,” he noted.

Bishop Ezeokafor prayed for the peace of Nigeria and wished every citizen a merry Christmas and prosperous new year.