In response to the tragic stampede that claimed 22 lives during a rice distribution event in Okija last Saturday, the Obijackson Foundation and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Sir Paul Chukwuma, have decided to cancel their planned Christmas celebrations and palliative distributions.
Chief Ernest Obiejesi, the chairman of the Obijackson Foundation, announced the decision to suspend the annual children’s Christmas celebration in Okija, emphasizing the importance of community healing in light of the heartbreaking incident.
A statement from the foundation read: “In light of the devastating stampede during the rice distribution, we have made the difficult choice to cancel this year’s Christmas event for the children of Okija. Our thoughts are with all those affected, and we believe that this is a time to focus on healing and providing support to the community. We look forward to resuming our work for the betterment of Okija in the new year.”
Similarly, Sir Paul Chukwuma, an APC gubernatorial aspirant, announced the suspension of his planned Christmas palliative distribution in honor of the victims.
He expressed deep sorrow for the loss, stating: “We are all in mourning. I have instructed my campaign council to halt the physical distribution of Christmas gifts for now and to explore alternative ways to deliver aid with minimal disruption. The tragic events in Okija have deeply saddened the people of Anambra during this festive season.”
Chukwuma called on the people of Anambra to remain resilient and continue supporting each other, despite the tragedy, while encouraging wealthy individuals in the state to find creative ways to give back during the holidays.
“The unexpected tragedy in Okija serves as a reminder that life is unpredictable. Let us reflect, pray for the souls lost, and stand by their families in this difficult time,” Chukwuma added.
He also offered his condolences to the affected families, urging the community to work together to prevent similar incidents in the future.
