‘There’ is need to help the less privileged’
The economic crunch hitting Nigerians from left and right and even in the face of dwindling businesses and harsh operating business environment is pushing majority of the citizenry to the precipice of economic hardship, thus inducing them to engage in some illicit acts alien to them. The worst hit, by this un-abating hardship currently ravaging our country are the less-privileged in our society—widows, orphans, mentally-disabled, crippled, the blinds among others.
A man once remarked that, “Nigerians are the most resilient, adaptive and enduring in the world”, and that is the truth. And truth be told, place a Nigerian and say a Briton in a mosquito-infested room for a day or two without net or any insecticide our Nigerian brother may survive it while the Briton might die as a result of mosquito bite. Our correspondent stands to be corrected; but, that’s the real truth here. And again, Nigerians are happy people. Taking a deep look into what exactly an average Nigerian needs to survive and be at par with his counters in other climes of the world, it would shock you to find that he does not really need much to live above poverty level; except the for ‘thieves’ among us.
A widow in a village in the Southeast, whose husband died three years ago and left behind four children, told this correspondent that if she could lay her hands on N800 every day , she and her children would feed well daily, the high cost of food prices notwithstanding. N800 for five people? This is pitiable! This amount is less than $3. This sum is very infinitesimal; but that tells you economical most Nigerians could be if they have steady streams of income no matter how meager.
But, even as average Nigerian citizens needn’t so much to keep life going on daily basis, little or no help hardly comes their way to soothe the excruciating pains of surviving in a country so rich in both natural and human resources, yet whose populations wallow-up in abject poverty.
In the face of all this however, the rich and the have-arrived in society have been urged to imbibe the spirit of helping the have-nots (the less-privileged ones) around them, as this will not only help save thousands of lives languishing in penury and reduce crime in the country, but also enrich them more than before.
This charge was given by the Visioner, Odi-Ajaye Victorious Garden Ministry (OVGM), Pastor (Dr.) John Olushola Ojo, at the ministry’s Quarterly Widows/Less-Privilegeds’ Forum held in Ogba, Lagos recently where he appealed for support, collaboration, partnership and synergy from both private and public organisations in the country to join hands together in order to adequately save the down-trodden in society from myriads of challenges facing them daily.
While praying for the numerous widows, orphans and the blinds numbering up to 1,000, Pastor Ojo said, :“We have decided to be doing this because if we don’t reach out to the needy with the resources which God has blessed us with, then it means we are not even grateful to God who gave them to us in the first place”.
We are imploring well-meaning Nigerians to come forward and co-operate with us in taking care of the widows, orphans, disables, and the less-privileged people in our society. This is a step which will help curd terrorism, theft, early child marriage and other criminal activities in our society”, he said.
The widows, orphans and others who came from different parts of Lagos, Ogun and Ibadan looking tattered, hungry, disorganised and traumatised by worries had enough food to eat; went home with new clothes from Pastor Ojo as gifts; happily went home with food stuffs such as rice, beans and Semovita, and those who had minor financial needs were given some token by the Bishop. Others who had spiritual needs and sought for counseling were counseled and prayed for, a dimension suggestive that the OVGM is not just a foundation, but a centre for divine guidance and spiritual insight over life’s challenges. “But, it’s the man that makes himself available that God uses”, according to Napoleon Hill.
According to Pastor Ojo, “Out of the six children of my mother, I am the only surviving child and my father had two wives. From what I heard, my step-mother swore to kill us all. My mother took me to Osun state for a crusade and while there, she was instructed never to take me to my father’s house. And till today that am 82 years, I have never for one day stepped into my father’s house. As a result of this, I experienced a lot of bitterness. You heard when people were saying it, I attempted suicide three times on Carter Bridge, Lagos. And afterwards I decided not to die.
“So, whenever I see somebody going through bitterness and problems I quickly remember that time. Therefore, I made up my mind to be wiping out people’s tears in any little way I can. I thank this God who saved me during that period; and there is nothing in my house, no matter how big that I cannot give out to people. There was a time I had over seven people living with me: those who could read, I sent them to school and those who could not read I asked them to go and learn a trade. All that you see here today came from my personal saving. I don’t have any organisation anywhere sponsoring me in the course of this. Whatever I get as an increase, I take my tithe out of it and then donate the remaining one for the support of this initiate.
One of the women who confessed to our correspondent that she had benefitted immensely from the foundation, Lady Evang. Aluko Olokun said it was worthy of mention that Pastor Ojo had been wearing the garment of giving and caring for widows and the less-privileged right his tender age and added that 99 per cent of his life was dedicated to wiping away tears and putting smiles on the faces of the hurting ones in the church, community and the society.
“Now that he is 82 years, he implores us to partner him in the great work of giving and caring for the down-trodden”, she added.
Sharing her testimony with this correspondent, Evang. Olokun said, “: I am a retired radiographer and I worked with the Lagos State Hospitals Service Commission. I retired in 2007, and in 2010 I lost my husband. My late husband introduced me to Christ Apostolic Church (Odi-Ajaye, Ogba) in 1983 for spiritual guidance on behalf of our son who had autism. My late husband unknowingly thought I was responsible for our son’s predicament, although he took me to the church to disgrace me. He stopped attending the church because he felt I was into witchcraft and gave me a divorce. I am a professional and I was able to look after our son with my poor salary, since 1984. So, his death some years back couldn’t make any difference because I alone had been looking after this child, bringing private therapists. Some good and some bad and, they cost me a lot of money. And finally, I met the proprietress of Patrick Speech and Languages Centre at Remi Fani-Kayode Street, G.R.A Ikeja-Lagos, who took my son up on scholarship. And I thank God for this woman, who has helped many children with autism (am talking about Mrs. Akande Dotun; but for her I wouldn’t have been able to afford the fees for this my son’s treatment there”.
Baba’s prayer, advice and encouragement at difficult times have helped me to stand firm and face whatever work am doing. I have share with the Federal Government Ministry of Health, and I have not been able to access this share over 11 years now. And as a widow, life has not been smooth for me and my son. But with God, we have always fared well. I pray God to keep Baba alive to see the fruits of those he has helped”.
Another woman, Titilayo Makanjuola, who lost her husband about 23 years ago also shared her bitter experience, thus, “People’s erroneous views are that if a man dies, the wife is the one who killed him”. She narrated how she had raised her kids from age two and one till date, with the help of God, hardwork and words of encouragement from Pastor Ojo. Today, one of her children is now a graduate and the other one is in her graduating year. Concluding, said pointed out that it was not going to be easy and advised other widow to also try hard to make it easy.
By Edward Nnachi
