Remember the hungry

Fola Ojo

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“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”- Isaiah 9:6.

Even with the elatedness of Detty December encircling the Lagos atmosphere, the rousing rhapsody engulfing the faith space of Christian adherents all over the world, and the ecstatic euphoria that seasonally grips the Nigerian state in this season, we must not forget the reason for Christmas and how God wants us to honour Him by honouring the less privileged among us. The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ was indeed celebrated the world over yesterday; the breeze of the joyful season continues to splash on our mortal bodies. As I join others in this celebration, on my desk as a Christian and writer, I have chosen this week to focus my treatise on the underlying reason for this season. The reason God gave to us is for us to be able to give to others who aren’t as blessed and privileged. Permit me to share my experience when I visited Nigeria a Christmas not too long ago.

This Nigerian man is married with two young children. Like many people in the country, there was no celebration for Daniel (not his real name) that Christmas. Why? Daniel had no money to buy food to feed his family, or clothes to strap on the backs of the ones who were so dear to him in celebration of the yuletide. The following conversation ensued between Danile and me as he randomly approached me:

“Sir, all I want is just to be able to feed my children this Christmas.”

“How much do you need?” I asked him.

“Just N5,000, sir,” he replied.

“N5,000? What are you doing with that?” I asked again.

“Chicken is N2,500; rice is N1,5000; N1,000 for soup, sir,” he noted.

“What about drinks?” I enquired again.

“Our well is working is good, sir,” he mentioned.

“What about new clothes for your family?” I asked.

“I don’t need new clothes, sir,” he responded.

“What happens after Christmas?” I was curious

“God will provide, sir,” he noted.

“Aaaammeenn!” I said in agreement with him.

I am certain that there are a handful of people close to you who may be struggling to stay afloat today. Remember them. And God will remember you for good from now into the New Year.

Let me quickly remind us that today in Nigeria, prices of chicken and rice have quadrupled. How many heads of the household like Daniel will be able to feed their families this season? That is why now is a good time to remember those who are struggling and trying to survive the heinous weight of poverty and hunger.

This season in the Christian community is a time of giving. God’s only Son was given to the world to salvage and save us from the traps of sin and death. “…. unto us a son is given…”; the Holy Book reiterates and reminds. The giving of the Son of God must be an inspiration for us to give back to society.

You may stumble upon some big gigs and parties around your neighbourhood this festive season. But not everybody will be celebrating with a full stomach. In Nigeria today, millions of people remain trapped in squalor. Their children and their children’s children have no hope for tomorrow. Their cooking pots hold sprinkles of scanty cooking oil. These people have a few morsels on their broken and battered dinner tables. They have given up on government. Some just want to eat their last meals and die. So, the haves must reach out to the have-nots.

The privileged must touch the hearts of the less privileged. The helpless must be helped. The hungry must be fed. The naked must be clothed. It’s the right thing to do. Most of the people in this category may have been forgotten by their government. Men and women with big hearts are giving to the weary-at-heart. A few merciful and compassionate beings around us are not waiting for the government to lend a helping hand. They are Individuals who hate to see other created beings die of hunger. They are the ones who give quietly and offer succour without staccato screams.

Many Nigerians are scrambling for help to survive each passing day. A few friends of mine have joined in helping the helpless in this season. Many have committed to feeding the human derelict. They are people with big hearts ready to solve society’s big problems. They are giving out clothes to people to cover their nakedness and feeding hundreds of people some hot meals. In many countries of the world, citizens do not wait for the government to help the less privileged. There are many Nigerians across our landscape who touch and impact lives around this season and others without making noise.

I hereby charge those with big titles among us to step up. I encourage those fat-cats who only feel relevant and revered when addressed with titular prefixes to step up and be a blessing to their neighbours. By sundown of one’s life, people will not remember your title. They will remember your impact on life. They will not forget how many people you take out of poverty; how many poor kids you put through school, how many hungry people you feed; and how many lives you have helped rebuild.

The true worth of a man is not in titles but in impact. At the end of the day, titles will become trash fit only for the dustbin of history. Do not be discouraged or dissuaded, even if people you helped in times past burnt your helping hands. Do the good you can while you can. Through experience, I have learnt that when you help people, whether they appreciate it or not, you have sown a seed that will be rewarded by God of Heaven. This season is a good time to give and help, my friends.

X-@Folaojotweet

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