Date Published: 01/17/10

15th January 2010.

Press Release.

Lagos AC Mourns with Haitians on Devastating Earthquake.

The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress has sent its heartfelt sympathy to the government and people of Haiti on the devastating earthquake that shook the country and which led to the death of tens of thousands of Haitians. The party says the disaster is a sad and regrettable incident that has depleted humanity and prays that God will console the living and rest the spirits of the dead.

In a release in Lagos, signed by the Lagos State Publicity secretary of the AC, Joe Igbokwe, Lagos AC says that the disaster in Haiti is shared by all humanity and that it is touching that a small country whose citizens are struggling to make ends meet is met with such calamity and destruction as the earthquake visited on Haiti. It therefore urges the people of Haiti to see the quake as a challenge on them to do more to lift their fortunes and find renewal in the present tragedy.

“While we believe in the inevitability of destiny, we see the devastation the earthquake wrought on Haiti as strong enough to challenge their belief and faith. We want them to accept what happened as a destined event and work hard to prevent such future occurrence. We believe that from the rubbles of the present disaster, a newer and much more progressive Haiti will emerge to

“Lagos AC is surprised that African countries have been missing in the deluge of humanitarian assistance and material aid that are now pouring from all corners of the world to Haiti. We are even more surprised because Haiti shares a direct historical affinity with Africa but the entire continent is lacking in the efforts to help Haiti pull out of one of the worst disasters in human history. Lagos AC firmly believes that Haitians are our Diaspora brothers as Africans, which is why we are surprised at the lethargic attitude of Africans to the latest crisis in Haiti.

“We are scared that African countries are demonstrating an abject lack of leadership in such matters that are as necessary as saving the lives of hapless citizens of a country that is under such natural disaster. Particularly shocking is the fact that Nigeria, the so-called giant of Africa has failed to rise to this occasion and is particularly crippled by a scandalous lack of leadership in the face of daunting problems. We believe that Nigeria and indeed Africa can do better if there is the presence of an accountable and responsible leadership. We therefore see the present crisis in Haiti reified the leadership crisis in Africa, particularly Nigeria. We wonder how Nigeria can respond to similar situation when it had shown failure in virtually every facet of human endeavor.

“Once again, we condole with the government and entire people of Haiti on this sad moment and we pray that God grant them the fortitude to bear the effects of this tragedy.”

Joe Igbokwe

Publicity secretary,

Lagos AC.