Okija rice stampede: Obijackson, APC guber aspirant cancel much publicized children's Christmas celebration, palliatives distribution

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By Madu Obi

Still shocked by last Saturday's stampede at Okija during which 22 people lost their lives at the venue of Christmas rice distribution, the chairman of Obijackson Foundation, Chief Ernest Obiejesi, has cancelled the much publicized children's get together planned for this Christmas in Okija.

Similarly, a governorship aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, for the November 2025 Anambra election, Sir Paul Chukwuma, has suspended his planned distribution of Christmas palliatives as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives during the distribution of palliatives by Obijackson Foundation at Okija.

It was gathered yesterday that many philanthropists in Anambra State, who usually fete their communities, have also put their programmes on hold.

A statement from Obijackson Foundation read: "Due to the heartbreaking events on Saturday surrounding the rice sharing tragedy, the Obijackson Foundation has made the difficult decision to cancel this year's Christmas celebration for Okija children.

Our thoughts are with those affected and we believe it is vital to prioritize healing and support for the community at this time.

We look forward to connecting our work for the wellbeing of Okija in the new year."

Similarly, Sir Paul Chukwuma, who had made elaborate arrangements to distribute palliatives to various segments of the society said the exercise was suspended because the state is mourning.

In a statement, Chukwuma said: "We are in mourning. I have directed my campaign council to suspend the planned physical distribution of Christmas gifts to various communities for now and to quickly come up with a strategy that will be of minimum discomfort to the intended beneficiaries.

The incident at Okija had brought untold grief and sadness to Anambra people in this season of love.

This tragedy has touched us all but it must not be allowed to break the Anambra spirit. Our sense of community, our legendary philanthropy and our belief that wealth has no meaning until it brings relief and happiness to ordinary people must continue."

He observed that the people’s communal spirit had always risen to its peak when social conditions deteriorate, and urged Anambra's wealthy indigenes not to be discouraged by the Okija incident, but to rather task their imagination harder and come up with clever ways to reach out and touch their communities this Christmas.

According to him, the mystery of life is so complex that sometimes, a well-intended effort to heal and bring succour to people could lead to unexpected outcomes, and called for a collective introspection and prayers for the peaceful repose of the souls of the dead and a speedy healing for their loved ones.

"My family and I shall continue to hold the grieving families up in our prayers and ask God to grant them a speedy healing from their irreparable losses," he stated.