I SEE DEATH AROUND THE CORNER

Hey people, how are things with you all? Well things are cool with velli, only say things no too easy sha… but we thank God for every. Well, as the Bakassi controversy final dies down, and Cameroon finally carries the day, life must go on… Well, I sympathise with the people from Bakassi, and hope for the best as they choose either to remain Nigerians or change to Cameroonians.

Well, today was very bad for me because I couldn’t stop thinking of a friend of mine whose birthday was today….being the 26th August, he died 3 years ago in a plane crash along with 114 passengers on board that ill fated aircraft. He was such a gentleman, I have never seen anyone so honest, no even my humble self, Jide (not real name) was such a sweet heart and everyone loved him. He was older than me with like 5 years but we related like brothers or peers, if I would use that word. He was my best friend and we loved each other like the biblical David and Jonathan. I gained a lot from him… good advice, support, love and genuine friendship… these are things you don’t find easily nowadays...because good friends are a rare commodity these days. We argued sometimes about issues and even if it was my fault, he would still be the one to call and say… hey bro, why you dey fuck up? Shei… you still dey vex? Would you like to go out for a drink? Meet me at Ibiza (his usual joint) this evening…ok? He just carried me along like a brother and I loved him dearly. He just got married to his long time girlfriend… a beautiful lady, and he was going to become a father in a few months… he was so excited, wanted a baby boy, I teased him to expect a baby girl. It was as if he had everything going well for him… his career was blossoming… he was financially ok…just bought a new house… he had a happy home, what else can a nigga ask for?

He had a meeting in Lagos, so flew down on a Monday and was meant to come back on Wednesday. When they got to Lagos, he gave me a shout on phone and we chatted for a while thanking God for journey mercies (cos you need a lot of it when you are traveling by air… in Naija), he told me to please keep an eye on his wife since she was all alone with the housemaid, just to keep her company later in the day. I went there after work and spent sometime with her , he even called his wife while I was still there and she let me speak to him on phone again…I was a part of that family. He used to tease me that when I finally decide to settle down, that our wives and kids would all be hanging out, that one of his children should marry one of mine…he always told me of the importance of family, that it was never too early to settle down and start a family. He said he would be coming back on Wednesday; I teased him that we couldn’t wait to have him back, that I don’t want any Lagos girl to “steal” him, he laughed so hard and the wife just smiled.

On that fateful day, he boarded that plane like everybody else, with hopes, dreams and aspirations, looking forward to seeing his pregnant wife, his friends… to get back to work after accomplishing the mission for which he was sent, and that was the last we heard of him. They took off and the plane crash-landed in a swamp just 15 minutes after take off, 115 passengers and crew members all lost their lives in that unfortunate plane crash.

Nobody knows when the end will come, but it sure will… anytime I get on a plane, I ask my self… many people got on a plane just like am doing right now, and that was their last, many people traveled by bus… and they never came back, many people left their homes this morning, kissing their wives goodbye, promising to buy gifts or biscuits for their children on their way back from work in the evening, and that was the last time they ever saw their family... some have died in their sleep.

Just a second… (to get a hanky)… these tears…. should stop rolling…. down my cheeks… (Damn! I can barely see what am typing)

Anytime am about to do something risky, a lot of shit goes through my mind, not because am afraid, but because am just trying to be real, today could be the last… yes… if not for me… for someone else… cos people die everyday… you are reading this because by His grace, its not you yet…. And I am still writing this because by His grace… am still here. Just make sure you put things in order at all times no matter what… if you owe… try to pay up, if you are cheating on your wife… please stop for your own good. If you are stealing from your boss… he might not be seeing you now, but God is watching you… please stop. If you have not been honest in your dealings, all in the bid to make money… stop. If you have hurt someone in the past… kindly go and make up with that person if possible, be at peace with all men… if you have not put your ways right with God, that is even the most important of all… do it right now when you still can …put your house and life in order… cos like the Bible says “only the living can praise the Lord”. I want you to live your life knowing that the Master can call you up at anytime that pleases Him, even while you are asleep, no one can question Him.

I lost 2 friends in an inferno here in Abuja just 3 months ago; some of you read it in the papers. PHCN (a.k.a NEPA) took the electricity as usual, so they told their security guard to switch on the generator, because they wanted watch Barak Obama’s campaign. Their mum had traveled (a day before) to inspect their new estate at Ile-Ife, which was near completion. Their Father went for a party of good friend who had just turn 60, told them he was coming back late. After the Obama speech, they went to bed. They had slept upstairs, in different rooms that night leaving their friends to sleep in the spare rooms downstairs.

When NEPA brought back the electricity, they were fast asleep, the security guard, switched off the generator and went to his room, along the line, there was power surge because the electricity was fluctuating, above the normal voltage, and the wires started melting, the next thing they knew was that the whole house was on fire, especially the upper part of the house. These two brothers from the same parents died of suffocation from the thick smoke, before the fire service operatives could get there, it was already too late. They were the only sons of their parents…. Ade was 25 and Yinka was 27, both were very successful in their chosen endeavors… the pride of their parents, wonderful friends… up till this moment, the parents have not gotten over the shock of their death. So, what are we talking about? They died in their own house. Yinka was meant to go back to school the next day.

Life is like a bus carrying us all on a jolly ride through the journey of time, some times the journey is smooth and sometimes its rough but whenever it gets to a bus stop, it stops for people to get in (given birth to) and also to get off (die), and the ride continues… all am saying is… how do you know that the next bus stop is not your last?

I read of the death of ace actor/comedian Bernie Mac in the newspapers….. I was so sad, I was one of his fans…that dude was so funny and I loved his movies… he was exceptional in the Ocean’s series (11, 12 and 13), but I loved him more in “5 kings of comedy”, who knows the next person that will be called to the upper room? Could be you … could be me.

Today is his birthday (I mean my friend Jide), and I just thought I should share this with you all. Happy Birthday my Friend, Happy Birthday Amigo. Still can’t find the words to describe how much I miss you. Your wife is doing fine… and your son looks so much like you…very handsome, Am still not married though, ha ha ha (that na tori for another day)…, but I believe you are in a better place… I hope to see you someday… one sweet day. Adieu.

This goes out to all those who have lost their loved ones, husband, wife, children, brother, sister…or a good friend. It’s such a painful experience… but God knows the best. As children of God, situations like this would can dampen our faith, but be encouraged in your spirit (Philippians 1:20-25) …because we know that they have gone to be with Him…and His plans for us are for our own good, for us to get to an expected end(Jeremiah 29:11), (Romans 8:28).
We shall all meet again on that day… that sweet day, till then… I remain Velli.