INVESTORS IN DEATH

Yes. That is what so many people are, mostly in this part of the world. 

Sad. But very real and very wrong.


The other day a patient was brought to the hospital, a 59 year old, very pale with fast breathing. Urgent tests and scan showed severe anaemia and massive pleural effusion. The man needed blood ASAP with chest tube for drainage of the effusion. He was brought by his son and his brother. So when they found out that a pint of blood costs #8,000 they requested for discharge. No money to get the blood was the reason.
Two days later he died. A month later a ''befitting" burial was conducted, hundreds of thousands of Naira spent. This scenario plays out regularly in our hospitals. Investors in death!

Your mother or brother is sick and you live in Lagos, UK or America. If you are nice you send a paltry sum. Few days later they call you he/she is more serious. You are busy. A week later they tell you it's getting worse, you can't get off duty. Then they call you he/she is dead and you enter the next available flight home to arrange for the burial. Investors in death!

Your mum/dad never drove a car all their lives (despite the fact that you can afford one) and then they die and they ride in Hummer ambulance to their burial. Investors in death.

Your aged parents live in ramshackle house with no amenities. Then they die and like a witch's trick a grand house erupts in 3 months. Investors in death!

Note that everything you do at burial you do for yourself.
You kill cows? the dead does not partake in it. Souvenirs? they don't take one to judgement seat. All the dancers, asoebi and cooling vans, they don't notice. All is for your personal glory.

What is a befitting burial without a befitting life?

It is better to give someone a chicken in life than to bring a cow to their burial.

I think we invest too much in death. Sometimes the living lose their source of livelihood for burials. All is vanity.

This is one thing our people need to change!

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Victor Duru