Celebrate Christmas Within Your Means, Avoid Criminality — Sen. Ani Charges Constituents

By Wilson Ogbonnaya Okereke, Abakaliki

The Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone, Senator Professor Anthony Okorie Ani, has urged his constituents to celebrate the forthcoming Christmas festivities within their means and shun all forms of criminal activities. Senator Ani gave the advice while interacting with newsmen yesterday, stressing that planning celebrations beyond one’s level of income often leads to financial strain, debt accumulation, and in some cases, involvement in crime. According to the lawmaker, excessive spending during the festive period could create budget deficits and unsustainable financial situations that may negatively affect families in the months ahead. He particularly charged Christians in the district to adopt a modest and disciplined lifestyle during the celebrations, noting that restraint would enable them to adequately prepare for essential responsibilities such as payment of school fees, house rents, and other pressing obligations that usually arise in the first quarter of the year. The senator described the quest for quick money as “the mother of all criminalities,” and urged individuals to always act in line with their conscience, emphasizing that Christmas and New Year celebrations are recurring events. “This is a period when some feeble-minded persons often engage in or intensify unlawful activities, mainly to show off in their various homes during the celebrations,” he said. He further cautioned residents to be vigilant and mindful of transactions involving unfamiliar persons, warning that many unsuspecting individuals lose their lifetime savings and hard-earned resources to miscreants who take advantage of the festive season. Senator Ani also appealed to constituents to conduct their activities within the confines of the law to avoid running into conflict with security agencies, while wishing the people of Ebonyi South Senatorial District and Nigerians at large a peaceful and blissful yuletide season.