Saving a planet starts with saving a man, a single soul embedded in
one man.
He lives, procreates and then a new world is in existence. A lot of
people die in Nigeria daily. Sadly, we will all die someday. But the
process and means of death will vary.
Some people will die in the hands of their lovers, in bed cuddling
each other. Others won’t have such honourable luxury of having a roof
over their heads and a caring partner who would hold them close, even in
death. Some will perish on the road, in plane crashes or of hunger and
rejection. Others may even die of having so much to eat. It is sadly
true but death is inevitable afterall.
OJB Jezreel is a young man who represents a resilient generation. He
represents a flock of young people seen as the outraged, because we
pursue entertainment instead or Law or Medicine. He has worked with
countless Nigerian musicians. He has served us as a musician and an
idol. It is unfortunate that he is not rich enough like many of us who
take trips to Germany to treat our headaches. If memory hasn’t failed
me, I recall there was once he lost a relation, either his daughter or a
sibling due to financial constraint. So Sad! In Nigeria, if you are
talented, you are as well doomed to die wretched. You need more than
talent to live a comfortable life, at least to drink and pay for your
own beer.
I learned OJB has 8 weeks to live. No preacher has thought it wise to
advice a congregation to save this dying soul. No mosque has held
prayer and fund raising ceremony for him. No free-thinker has considered
his ailment important for special attention and assistance. Sad, poor
people have no hope, after all. OJB may not be directly linked to our
immediate families but he is ours now that we can hear his cry, now that
his tears, shaky smiles are all over our computers and mobile phones.
It is only rational that we save him.
I’m restraining myself from mentioning the government. I am also
withholding an urge to call on the super rich Yoruba community, of who
throw massive parties and declare uniforms for even the celebration of a
successful tooth removal. Anyone can be OJB. Anyone can need financial
assistance. This man has not been lazy. He has worked. He has paid
bills. He has not looted treasuries or impregnated a whole clan of
women. I assume that if the required sum were to be less than or within a
million naira, he would have afforded it. It is sad that he can’t
afford this one.
Some well-meaning Nigerians have supported him. I understand others
will. I will not forgive Nigeria, if a young man like OJB cannot get
help and ends up dead. He has done good music. He has helped a few
people in the past. At least he has helped an old woman cross to the
other side of the road. Every kind of good work counts, but his works
isn’t the bedrock of my plea to everyone who is a friend of Nigeria; it
is our grace that I seek.
There are countless of churches in Nigeria that preach salvation
every day. It is sad, again, that when Europe introduced the church, it
gave scholarship to Africans and encouraged them, thereby justifying
their loots. The churches in Nigeria can save OJB from numerous
donations and tithes. I know about churches that bring an entire music
crew from America just for a praise concert in Nigeria. I know of
families that throw birthday parties for their 3 year-old and invite
American superstars. We can save a life. NTA, STV, Channels, MTV, Sound
City, can all put up documentary films to solicit for assistance from
the public.
Those of us who are not millionaires can still assist. If we can give
a thousand naira (N1,000.00), it would be satisfying knowing that we
are taking part in a process of keeping a man alive, enabling his dreams
and making Nigeria better. This country is ours. When we save a young
man we are saving the future. I expected that investigations would be
done to ascertain the actual state of health of OJB and what has been
requested. A governor can singlehandedly give OJB a life same way we
bought 2Face Idibia countless luxury cars worth millions. A student can
give OJB some hope. NGOs can raise funds. We are better as a people,
with a kind heart.
Save OJB today and give young Nigerians hope!
We deserve to live!
Note: OJB needs kidney transplant which is to take place in India. A
donor has been found, according to news report. He is in need of
15milion naira.
#SaveOJB
Babatunde Okungbowa. UBA – 1015075120.
Nwilo Bura-Bari Vincent
@saintvinny
