Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ogun State has thrown a challenge to Nigerians at Christmas.
It is to keep hope alive, notwithstanding the many socio economic challenges around them.
Ajadi who gave the admonition as part of his Christmas Message said Nigerians needed their sanity to be able to navigate the challenging situations around them.
“Whatever it is you are doing; however challenging the time, my advice to you as you celebrate Christmas is to keep your sanity”, he said in the Message this morning.
It will not be easy doing so with all that is surrounding us, but it is only the one who is in control of his thoughts that can overcomes challenges”, he added.
He said in a situation whereby the government appears to have abandoned the masses, that the only thing left for them to do was to consciously take care of themselves even as they celebrate Christmas.
Ambassador Ajadi who used the opportunity to condole with those who lost relations in the recent stampedes that occurred at palliative centres at Ibadan, Anambra and Abuja, said the tragedy reflected the high level of suffering in the country.
He said as much as the organisers of the palliatives sharing may not have taken adequate safety measures, but that the desperation displayed by the recipients reflected the high level of hunger the country.
“The reality is that there is so much hunger in the land.
“It happened at Ibadan, it happened at Abuja and yet Okija. The hunger is everywhere in the country and that is just the truth”.
Ambassador Ajadi said the pathetic side to it is that there is enough resources to take care of the masses but that many in the corridors of power have not considered it a priority to reach them.
He commended ministries and individuals who have thought it necessary to share love with the poor this season, but advised them to device a better way of sharing same.
“We cannot advice those with the resources not to reach out, but let it be done in collaboration with security agencies which have the resources for crowd control.
But most importantly, my advice to individual Nigerians is to take adequate precaution themselves.
“Whatever you want to do this Christmas, it should be safety first. My prayer is for God to keep us all, and give us the grace to see New year. Merry Christmas Nigerians”, Ambassador Ajadi prayed.
The Eagle reports that Ambassador Ajadi had earlier lived up to his mark of a humanitarian by reaching to groups and individuals within his political and social circles.
He donated bags of rice and cartoons of oil to enable them join in the festivities of the season.
The Eagle correspondent who witnessed the items being distributed reports that it was prayers of appreciation and goodwill for the politician from the beneficiaries.