By Tolu Meduna
Christmas has always been my favourite holiday, not by coincidence, but by design. Someone made it special for me. Her name was Mama Fatima, my grandmother, who lived in a small town called Ejiba in present-day Kogi State. In her care, Christmas was more than a celebration; it was reassurance. It was dignity. It was love expressed in simple, lasting ways.
Growing up, the season was not just festive, it was a reaffirmation of worth. Mama Fatima ensured that each holiday ended with small but powerful gestures: new school items, water bottles, socks. To an adult, these may seem insignificant. To a child, they meant everything. Resuming school with brand-new belongings came with a quiet pride that lingered all year. It was a message that said, you matter.
Around 1988, when those traditions stopped, a chapter of childhood joy quietly closed. Yet the imprint never faded. Even today, Christmas remains my favourite holiday because of how it once made me feel, safe, seen and valued.
It is that same feeling I see many children across Ekiti Central Senatorial District experience every year, because Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (CON), has chosen to recreate that magic, not for one household, but for thousands of children.
In Ekiti Central, Christmas has become more than a celebration; it is an investment in the future. For many years, Senator Bamidele has consistently marked the season at home, ensuring that children experience joy, care and belonging. This tradition is not accidental. It is deliberate, systematic and deeply strategic.
Children’s minds are blank canvases. What society paints on them today becomes the picture they reproduce tomorrow. By renewing the glow of Christmas one child at a time, Senator Bamidele is quietly mentoring the next generation. He understands that leadership is not only about policies, motions or bills; it is about shaping mindsets. The quality of leadership Nigeria will have tomorrow depends largely on the quality of hope we give our children today.
On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, the Ekiti Central Senator once again ensured that children under his care had a memorable celebration. Gifts and food were shared, laughter filled the air, and for many young hearts, burdens were lifted, if only for a moment. But moments like these matter. The psychological impact of a joyful childhood experience cannot be overstated. It builds confidence, resilience and optimism. It tells children that society has not forgotten them.
As gifts exchanged hands, something even more profound was distributed: renewed hope for the coming year. For a child who has little, a Christmas gift is not merely an item; it is a message-you matter, your dreams are valid, and your future is important.
Through sustained educational and welfare-focused interventions, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele is building the future in real time. His Christmas outreach reminds us that governance, at its best, is humane, intentional and forward-looking. Long after the carols fade and the decorations come down, the memories will remain etched on young minds, inspiring tomorrow’s leaders.
Someone once made Christmas special for me. Today, Senator Bamidele is ensuring that thousands of children can say the same.
*Tolu Meduna, Integrated Communication Consult.