Food for Thought

This past year 2005, I have been reminded more than ever before about the fragility of our human existence. There have been several natural disasters all over the world ranging from Hurricane Wilma, Katrina and Rita of which Katrina is billed to be one of the most destructive and costly in US history with catastrophic consequences for New Orleans and the tragic loss of around 12,000 people, to the Pakistan earthquake, the numerous civil wars going on in parts of Africa and the Middle East, the July 7 bombings here in the UK where 52 people lost their lives including Nigeria's Anthony Fatayi Williams, the highly publicised murder of 21 year old university student Olamide Adeyooye from Illinois in October, the death of our First Lady Chief Mrs Stella Obasanjo and 3 Nigerian plane crashes in the last 8 weeks! 117 passengers died in the Bellview plane that crashed en route to Abuja, 2 in a private aircraft and a few days ago around 107 out of 110 passengers also died when a Sosolisco plane crashed in Port Harcourt . The victims included 75 secondary school children on their way home and Pastor Bimbo Odukoya of Fountain of Life Church. On a personal note, I lost my step father who played a big role in determining my chosen career and a very dear friend Joseph Ekpe Essien following a brief illness in August. Zona, our web designer almost died following an operation and another dear friend is in great need of a bone marrow transplant. 40 year old Abimbola suffers from Sickle Cell Anaemia and has been bedridden since 2000. She needs financial support for the operation that she requires which will enable her to walk again. I am sure many of you have similar stories to tell.

As we celebrate Xmas and the New Year let us remember all those who have died and their loved ones who mourn them, those who are sick, lonely, homeless or less fortunate than ourselves. As we tuck into the turkey and open our presents let us not lose sight of the true meaning of xmas, but reach out in love and make a difference to somebody else's life and help to make our world a better place…. Let us also give thanks for the blessings that we do have and each day celebrate life to the full.