When one looks at the level of devastation that the state of Texas has experienced in recent days, one could not but say, wow!" Yet, the magnitude of this devastation pales in comparison to the magnitude of generosity demonstrated in the hearts of the people in reaching out to the communities involved at this time of utter loss. In my book, it is, borrowing the biblical language, nothing short of "lifting the hands that are feeble and strengthening the knees that are weak." Here is a short list out of many private citizens who have come to make their own "token" contributions so as to bring a small relief to the people:
Ruby Rose - $10,000
Jack Antonoff - $10,000
JD Khaled - $25,000
Justin Bieber - $25,000
T.I. - $25,000
Chris Young – $100,000
Chris Brown - $100,000
Hakeem Olajuwon - $150,000
Jay Bruce - $250,000
Beyoncé - $330,000
Demi Lovato - $500,000
Miley Cyrus - $500,000
Taylor Swift - $500,000
The Kardashian-Jenner Family - $500,000
Sandra Bullock - $1,000,000
Leonardo DiCaprio - $1,000,000
Tyler Perry - $1,000,000
JJ Watt - $10,000,000
Michael & Susan Dells – $36,000,000
Oprah Winfrey – Undisclosed amount
Actually, I could have titled this, "Benue on My Mind," because a terribly, though less, devastating natural disaster befell the people of Benue State a few days ago, but I am yet to have names of celebrities to showcase in the cannon of generous donors I could put on this note. Yet, Nigeria has more than enough celebrities who could individually bring the needed relief to the people. Dangote is on CNN everyday advertizing his name, not even his products. All Nigerian politicians in Abuja have enough money to chip in half a million dollars (or even $10,000) in this Benue tragedy. Yet, the government of Benue is still begging the Federal Government of Nigeria to help the 100,000 displaced individuals find relief. My question is, WHY, beloved country?
Michael O. Afolayan
From the Land of Lincoln
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