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Long before the political conversations surrounding 2027 began to gather momentum, Dr. Chima Desmond Anyaso had already established a record of engaging with communities and investing in the welfare of children in Bende.
One event that continues to stand out was the Children’s Christmas Party and Gift Distribution organised through the Chima Anyaso Foundation on December 21, 2018, in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
For the thousands of children who attended, the occasion was not about politics or elections. It was about Christmas, happiness and the simple experience of feeling remembered.
The event drew children from all 13 autonomous communities in Igbere, with an estimated 3,500 children attending alongside their parents and guardians.
For many families, particularly those facing economic difficulties, the celebration provided more than entertainment. It brought practical support at a time of the year when the financial demands on households are often heightened.
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Putting Children at the Centre
The initiative was built around the idea that children in rural communities should not be excluded from the excitement and happiness associated with Christmas simply because their families could not afford it.
Beyond creating a festive atmosphere, the foundation used the occasion to promote education, social interaction, creativity and community bonding.
Children received exercise books and other writing materials, school bags, clothes, school aprons and various gift items.
For families struggling to meet basic educational expenses, such materials offered some measure of relief while encouraging children to remain connected to their education.
The organisers also created an atmosphere designed specifically for children, with games, interactive activities, music and dance.
Cartoon characters and Santa Claus added to the excitement, while trampolines and other play equipment provided entertainment for the young participants.
A dance competition further animated the celebration, with winners and runners-up rewarded with special prizes.
For the children, it was a day of laughter, competition, music and gifts; for their parents and guardians, it was an opportunity to see their children enjoy a celebration that might otherwise have been beyond their means.
When Giving Went Beyond the Children
The foundation’s intervention extended beyond the young participants.
Families received bags of rice, cartons of tomato paste, drinks and other household materials. Food and refreshments were also provided for the children and their parents and guardians.
The gesture meant that the celebration was not simply a children’s party. It became a broader community intervention that brought families together and provided practical assistance to households.
More importantly, it brought together people from Igbere’s 13 autonomous communities, creating a shared experience around the festive season.
More Than a Christmas Party
The significance of the 2018 event lies not merely in the number of people who attended or the quantity of items distributed.
Its deeper impact was in the message it conveyed: that children from rural and low-income families deserved to experience joy, receive encouragement and have access to basic educational materials regardless of their circumstances.
For beneficiaries and their families, the event offered a temporary reprieve from economic pressures while reinforcing a sense of belonging and community.
It also became part of the narrative surrounding Anyaso’s philanthropic activities, particularly his interventions in education, youth development and support for vulnerable families.
A Record Being Revisited Ahead of 2027
As political activities gradually take shape ahead of the 2027 elections, Anyaso’s supporters have increasingly drawn attention to initiatives undertaken before he became a major political figure.
For them, the 2018 Christmas event represents an important distinction between electoral promises and interventions carried out without the immediate prospect of political reward.
Leadership, they argue, should not begin and end with campaign seasons. It should be reflected in the willingness to identify social needs and respond to them consistently.
That perspective has become central to the argument made by those who believe Anyaso’s years of philanthropic engagement could provide an indication of the kind of public service they expect from him.
The question now being raised by his admirers is straightforward: if he could mobilise resources to bring joy, educational support and relief to thousands of families before seeking elective office, what could he accomplish with the authority and resources of public office?
For Bende’s political landscape, that question may become increasingly significant as 2027 approaches.
But beyond politics, the memory of that December day in 2018 remains centred on something much simpler: thousands of children who gathered in Igbere, received gifts, played games, ate, danced and experienced a Christmas they were unlikely to forget.
And sometimes, long before the ballot box, that is where the story of public service begins.
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