By Atinuke Odjenima
I have always heard people say “May Nigeria never happen to us.” Honestly, it wasn’t until a few years ago that the weight of that often-repeated statement hit me. It was a situation that struck a little too close to home that made truly understand what it meant.
Picture this; a 50-year-old wife and mother who is just a public-school teacher. Her husband, a 50 something year old who earns a living as a security man at a private university. They have 4 children, their eldest being a 21 years old son. This son is an SSCE holder and is currently working as an apprentice to make good use of his gap year while preparing to pursue his tertiary education. But unfortunately, life happened to him and by extension to this young simple ordinary Nigerian family.
The truth is, life will always happen and to all of us. That is because our life journey is one with unexpected twists, turns and thorns at different phases and seasons. I could almost safely say that we all as humans will one way or another go through one hardship or suffering, whether small or big, in any area of our lives? While life will always happen but the question for us really is; when life happens, what leverages do we have to help or support us in our navigation of the stormy seasons, what are the tangible and intangible resources (financial, spiritual, emotional, social) can we lean on to help us weather life’s inevitable storms?
Back to my story, life happened to this young adult, he was diagnosed with a kidney problem, his health declining. He began dialysis, twice a week at the cost of ₦190,000, and as much as ₦220,000 when blood transfusion was required. His mother had to abandon her job and resume at the hospital in order to care for her first-born son full-time. His father on the other hand, now being the sole provider, is up and about, seeking financial assistance.
They managed to sustain his treatment for about five weeks before their funds ran out. Eventually, they had no choice but to take their son home from the teaching hospital he was admitted and receiving medical attention. The parents are reaching out to family and friends for support and financial assistance. This got me thinking, what is the net worth of their entire network? How much can they possibly raise? How soon or fast can they raise it? Hmm… honestly I had no answer. Just as any other Nigerian in such crisis would do, this family could only hope in God! Believing in the possibilities of a miracle! “May he receive healing or speedy recovery”, “May a helper who will clear the bills show up”, “May ……………………” and many other wishes and desires of miracles.
This sad story opened my eyes to just how many other people; regardless of age, gender, race, religion, whether Yoruba, Hausa, or Igbo, are going through similar or even worse situations. How many other people are struggling and suffering from many other health related issues? Where are they to get help from, timely responsive help at that? Who is to help them when support and assistance from family and friends has been exhausted and is even inadequate?
Social media and crowd funding, which a number of people in need of huge financial resources for their health demands seek as a last resort, is unreliable. I figured out that only few get to meet up with their financial demands for their health needs through this medium. It seems to me that, the public voluntary contribution is the last resort of those in need of huge financial resources for their health demands. There is no certainty of getting the amount needed and at the much-needed time. People are dying simply because they cannot afford much needed treatment, it is no wonder death rates in the hospital is daily increasing.
Oh! My God!! This is alarming! Scary!! Depressing!!
I can’t but of course at this time think and ask “where is our government?”
What exactly is the government’s role?” “What even is the purpose of government/governance” What is the government actually doing? Are they really reaching and meeting the basic needs of the masses, the majority of people they lead or govern? Shouldn’t government, effectively, adequately and efficiently perform its functions of provision, protection and preservation of lives and properties of its people? Why then are people still being left to depend on luck, faith, and charity to survive?
What can we do to wake up our government and get them to work in a way that the people they are called to serve are adequately reached and their basic necessities of life: food on the table, good health, sound mind(education), shelter, commerce (which ease of transportation aids business transaction even at petty trading). These are thoughts that has been running endlessly on mind.
Sadly, the eventuality happened! My fear manifested! That young man, just 21 years young, full of potential, dreams, and life, passed away. He has gone to rest as we like to console ourselves in Faith. How many young bright futures has been cut short? Who is to blame? Shall we continue to hide under faith?
Aren’t we dying daily? Dying daily of hunger, poor healthcare, poor infrastructure, poor mindset and thinking. All of which I put in one categorization –POVERTY! For how long shall we continue to feed the chains of underdevelopment? Shouldn’t we hold government accountable?
It’s time to wake up. It’s time to demand better, because no one deserves to die simply because Nigeria happened to them.
A passionate concerned Citizen,
Atinuke Odjenima
