Another Christmas in darkness By Pius Okaneme

It lifts one’s spirit to travel around the country and see fantastic decorations of public places in Christmas lights. Such can be expected of enlightened cities like Lagos, Enugu and Calabar but to experience the brightness in the once centres of squalour, thrills the soul. Holiday makers passing through the popular Head Bridge, Onitsha, Anambra State will be welcome to a new paradise. The city that has never known colours is now decked in glorious ornaments.

Sunshine brings out the Christmas glitters to dazzle both the young and the old. Onitsha residents especially come timidly to this joy of lovely spaces with child-like wonder. Many have never imagined that their squalid environment could wear the face of excitement.

The new attitude by the government to spruce up the horizon is a visible testament that the country is overcoming the dark days. Across the world, the Christmas season showcases the best moment of openness. A gesture of magnanimity by the government will yield a quantum leap in advancement of a more civilised society.

If appearance is the sole test of ingenuity, Nigeria will be a first world nation. As the sun goes down, most of the shining Christmas festoons fade into the dark. The expected transition in the modern world from daylight to electricity becomes an illusion. Children do not parade around at night to cherish the blinking lights.

Thanks to the sparkling stars from heaven, the joy of Christmas stays alive in their hearts.

Government promised the people a steady power supply by October of this year. This is another Christmas in darkness. If New York City with all its skyscrapers and powerful industries could stand as a beacon of light year round, what could stop Nigeria’s leaders from giving the people a taste of the good life?

The town of Umuoji in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State has been languishing in darkness for a steady stretch of over 10 months.

The new governor of the state, Willie Obiano, finally came to appease them by bringing a huge new transformer which has been mounted at the local power station. Hope was bright for the people of Umuoji both at home and abroad.

As they count down days towards Christmas, they are sighing of the nightmare of returning and sitting in their homes robed in darkness. The power supply company, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, has doggedly retarded every effort to fulfill their part of the obligation.

This is not a lamentation of the heathen. Christmas, from time, has created a special place in the hearts of celebrants.

The light of the soul shines during the season. Faces of loved ones reflect with kindness towards one another. This Christmas will not be any different. The power of love will turn darkness into light.