Tragic December: Why can’t palliatives be distributed the Dangote way? 

December in Nigeria is typically associated with end-of-year festivities: Corporate parties, funfairs, family gatherings, concerts, and musical performances. Its celebratory nature has become so prominent that Gen-Zs and Millennials coined the term ‘Detty December’ to capture the excitement.

However, this December has not only been “Detty” but tragically unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. For me, this period is heart-wrenching as the year ends on a grim note with the loss of at least 70 lives—many of them children—due to stampedes during poorly organised food and palliative distribution events.

It is deeply unsettling to know that innocent lives, through no fault of their own, were lost in Ibadan (Southwest), Abuja (North Central), and Okija (Southeast). These tragedies stemmed from the failure to properly plan and manage the distribution of aid. Instead of celebrating the season, affected families are left mourning their loved ones.

As someone who has experienced personal loss, detailed in my book “Beyond Loss and Grief: The Story of Kikaose Ebiye-Onyibe”, I empathise with the grieving families. My book, written after the untimely death of my 18 years-old daughter Kikaose in 2017, serves as a guide to coping with loss. I would like to gift a copy to each family affected by these recent tragedies.

The events leading to this tragic December began in Ibadan, where approximately 35 children died while attempting to claim a N5,000 palliative offered by a faith-based organisation. This catastrophe, arising from a stampede attributed to inadequate crowd control, marked the beginning of a sorrowful chain of events on December 18.

Before the nation could process this tragedy, another incident occurred on same day in Abuja, where 10 people lost their lives during a similar scramble for aid organised by another faith-based group. As Nigerians were still reeling from these events, on December 21, (barely three days after the first two) a third disaster unfolded in Okija, Anambra State, where 22 individuals died while trying to receive food from a philanthropic individual.

These heart-breaking incidents highlight a glaring issue: palliative distribution can—and should—be conducted in ways that do not result in tragedy. Instead, what should have been acts of kindness and goodwill ended in sorrow, tears, and blood—a phrase immortalised in the protest song by Fela Kuti condemning military brutality in the 1990s. It is a cruel irony that these recent tragedies echo the sentiment of that song, even though the events were meant to celebrate humanity and compassion.

The reality is disheartening: this December will be remembered not for its festivities but for the needless loss of lives—70 Nigerians whose potential contributions to the nation were cut short. Among them were children who could have grown into the likes of Albert Einstein, but instead, their lives were prematurely ended in a bid to receive aid.
Philanthropy is as old as human civilisation.

From ancient Athens to the modern day, acts of kindness have been a cornerstone of society. Interestingly, one of the earliest recorded philanthropists was the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, who founded the Pythagorean Society in Croton, Italy, around 530 BC. His organisation provided food, shelter, and education to the poor, setting an example of structured and impactful giving. Perhaps, his fame for his mathematical prowess overshadowed his philanthropy.

Nigerians have been known to be philanthropy, as they have always been their brother’s keeper. So, the acts of giving that turned deadly are not the only occasions that the rich has reached out to poor. The COVID-19 pandemic and consequential lockdown and economic meltdown period are typical examples when public spirited Nigerians and organisations showed acts of kindness to the vulnerable by setting up food kitchens to serve the poor. Typically, Nigerians even mark their birthdays by opting to share food to the less priviledged in orphanages and public places such as motor parks which are habitats to those living rough.

So, acts of kindness come naturally to most Nigerians. But the snag appears to be the unstructured ways in which the commendable arts of kindness are being displayed resulting in fatalities to the beneficiaries. Remarkably, large corporations such as Dangote Group have been engaging in benevolent activities in Nigeria on grand scales without recording any catastrophe.

This raises an important question: Why can’t Nigeria adopt better-organised methods of distributing palliatives, such as the Dangote Way?

It is perhaps appropriate at this juncture to dwell a bit on philanthropy and its effect on society.

The role of structured philanthropy in preventing tragedy
Historically, philanthropy has been an integral part of society, especially in aiding the less privileged. Over time, it has also become a way for wealthy individuals and organisations to enhance their public image through the establishment of charitable foundations.

Today, it is not uncommon for ethical investors to prioritise firms or individuals with a demonstrated commitment to societal good. Examples include globally recognised organisations like the Carnegie Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, all of which have established themselves as forces for good worldwide.

In Africa, prominent figures have followed suit. Aliko Dangote, the continent’s richest man and founder of Dangote Refinery, established the Dangote Foundation. Similarly, Tony Elumelu, a successful entrepreneur in the banking and energy sectors, launched the Tony Elumelu Foundation that has Africa wide coverage. These foundations adopt structured and impactful philanthropic models inspired by practices in the industrialised world.

Other Nigerian billionaires, such as Chief Mike Adenuga, owner of Globacom, and Femi Otedola, founder of Geregu Power, are also known for their generosity. While their philanthropic contributions run into billions, their efforts are often less structured. Nonetheless, both Adenuga and Otedola are widely celebrated for their exceptional charity, with Adenuga gaining continental recognition due to Globacom’s footprint across Africa. In fact, that is why Adenuga is popularly referred to as the spirit of Africa.

This historical overview underscores that philanthropy, as a concept, is as old as civilisation itself. It thrives globally because it is structured and draws on lessons from past experiences. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the lack of organised and professionalised philanthropic efforts often turns acts of goodwill into sources of tragedy rather than joy.

Invariably, the  solution lies in adopting proven strategies for planning and execution, as exemplified by organisations like the Dangote Foundation. Recently, the foundation successfully implemented its National Rice Relief Programme, distributing over one million 10kg bags of rice across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria from March to early April 2024. This initiative, valued at N15 billion, was well-organised and garnered widespread praise from Nigerians.

To be continued tomorrow.

Onyibe, an entrepreneur, public policy analyst, author, democracy advocate, development strategist, alumnus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA, and a former commissioner in the Delta State government (2003–2007),sent this piece from Lagos.