Ayomide Awe
Reverend Superior Evangelist Matthew Ogunwole of the Celestial Church of Christ, Ireti-Ogo, Oke-Ata, Abeokuta, has decried the wave of deadly stampedes at Christmas charity events across Nigeria, attributing them to poor safety measures and the widespread hunger afflicting the nation.
Speaking during a Sunday service, Ogunwole expressed dismay over the tragic incidents that have marred the festive season, highlighting the growing trend of fatalities during events intended to spread goodwill and relief.
According to him, the incidents reflect deep-seated issues of economic hardship and inadequate planning.
“There’s nothing that caused it if not for the fact that hunger is on the ground,” he stated, adding that “anger has met hunger,” resulting in desperation among the masses.
Reverend Ogunwole recalled a series of recent tragedies, starting with a stampede at a charity event in Ibadan, Oyo State, where several lives were lost.
He extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for divine comfort in their homes.
In Okija, Anambra State, another charity event turned chaotic, leading to fatalities.
Describing the scene, Ogunwole said, “The great storm entered the place, and a lot of lives were lost.”
A similar tragedy occurred in Abuja during a Catholic Cathedral’s charity program, where participants were trampled to death.
The cleric lamented, “It’s now looking as if they are competing in stepping people to death.”
Ogunwole attributed the spate of incidents to Nigeria’s worsening economic challenges, including inflation and widespread hunger.
He noted that these factors have heightened desperation, turning acts of charity into deadly scrambles for survival.
“During this season, what should be moments of joy and relief have turned into tragedies because of the harsh realities faced by the masses,” he said.
He also criticized the lack of structured distribution methods in Nigeria, contrasting it with practices in developed countries where food and gifts are distributed systematically and safely.
“In some countries, parcels of food are dropped at doorsteps with inscriptions like ‘Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.’ Such peaceful methods could prevent these tragedies,” Ogunwole suggested.
The cleric questioned the spiritual implications of the tragedies, wondering if the incidents were symbolic attacks on the spirit of Christmas.
“Is there no reason? Is it not that this thing came out to wage war against Christmas?” he asked rhetorically.
However, he emphasized that the organizers of these charity events had no malicious intent but were victims of the nation’s dire economic circumstances.
He called on political leaders, particularly Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, to address the underlying issues.
Ogunwole stressed the need for better planning and safety protocols for charity events, urging the government to create policies that reduce economic hardship and ensure orderly distribution of relief materials.
Ogunwole urged Nigerians to reflect on the causes of these tragedies and demanded proactive leadership to avert future occurrences.
He prayed for divine intervention to alleviate the sufferings of the masses, emphasizing that the festive season should be a time of joy, not mourning.
“The time has come for us as a nation to rethink how we help the needy during festive periods.
“Let us ensure that our acts of kindness do not inadvertently lead to sorrow,” he concluded.
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