During a brief chat with one close
friend of mine, Chiedozie Obia, we deliberated on why the world, especially
Africans, derive more joy in celebrating the dead more than they do to the
living. This chat occurred many months back. But, before I left him that day,
he called me back saying: ‘My friend, you are a writer. I know you can write
some lines on this issue.’ I turned around to glance at him. And, not knowing what
to say at that moment, I laughed jokingly. ‘Listen, I am serious about this,’
he added. Without discussing further, I bid him a bye and walked out.
Few days ago, after several months I
had that discussion with him, I got a call from a colleague who informed me
that Nollywood actor, Clems Onyeka had passed on. The sad news shocked me and
my heart missed some beats at once. I never heard that he was sick. I wondered
how it happened so suddenly. ‘He was shot by stray bullets when policemen were
exchanging fire with armed robbers along summit road, Asaba,’ my colleague
revealed finally and hung up. Without further ado, I went online only to
discover that almost all the websites/blogs had carried the news. How fast! This
is an actor who some weeks ago won an award as the Best Upcoming Actor.
Ironically, after winning the award he invited Vanguard’s entertainment editor
to do a story on it. He had joked before them: ‘When will you write something
about me. Is it when I am dead?’
That question he asked made me to go
down memory lane. In a flash, I remembered the discussion I had with my friend
on that day. I nodded my head sideways, feeling pathetic that the late Clems Onyeka
foresaw his death and reasoned that no one cared about him, cared to write much
about him but the press are all waiting for him to die so that they would pick
from there. Of course, it happened that way. Websites, blogs, facebook pages,
twitter, and other social networks carried the news of his death immediately he
was shot by the gunmen. According to Vanguard report by Ayo Onikoyi of Sunday,
19th October, 2014; he wrote: ‘Suddenly, Clems Onyeka, the quiet
actor, who was never celebrated by the media, became a subject of media
jamboree.’ People who watched him on
screen but never cared to know his name knew his name after he died. Many went
further to post how a wonderful actor he was...how humble, handsome and how
they will miss him now. I said to myself that if this entire people that are
now writing well about Clems did so when he was still living, he would have
metamorphosed into an A-list artist, unarguably. Unfortunately, it is not so in
our society of today.
Again from my findings, I read how
emotions ran high when the remains of Nigerian legendary gospel singer, Patty
Obasi, were laid to rest in his home town, Nmakwu, in Ogwu Local Government
Area of Enugu State. He reportedly slipped into unconsciousness. He was down
with kidney failure for years and his doctor said he needed not less than ten
million naira to transplant his two failed kidneys.
In a nutshell, he could not embark on the
operation owing to lack of fund. One of his sisters, who confirmed his demise,
said Obasi gave up the ghost after the prolonged ailment without undergoing the
recommended kidney transplant. Several appeals by the family for help went
unheeded. Read this line of his interview by Tony Adibe, Enugu in May, 2012,
when Obasi was still bedridden.
Did the doctor give
you an idea of the possible cost?
He said that it will cost up to ten million naira.
So far, has any one indicated interest?
Well, I find it difficult to answer this question….
At long last, Patty Obasi died but
his tribute night was overwhelming. It was attended by celebrated and budding
gospel artistes within and outside the shores of the country. I wouldn’t want
to mention names of the celebrities that were there. The question I then asked
myself was this: ‘Where were this entire people when the late Obasi solicited
help?’ Unfortunately, no one was there to answer me. His teeming fans that
never bothered to remember him in prayers when he was lying helplessly on the
hospital bed became charged when the news of his death was carried by the wind.
The atmosphere became suddenly electric and the social network became busy with
people from all walks of life posting how talented he was...how inspiring his
songs are. It’s unfair!
Celebrating people in death in lieu
of doing so when they still lived has become the norm in the world today. Of
what use are praises and prayers to the dead? As individuals, the prayers and
praises we offer to our friends and colleagues when they are still alive really
count. Do not wait for the person to
die. It won’t be necessary anymore.
-Wave hands and pray for politicians that are leading the people well
when they are still alive. It will inspire them to do more.
-Promote and pray for young talents when they are still there. Do not try
to discourage them by making their efforts seem worthless.
-Render a helping hand to your friends, relatives and neighbours when you
can.
-Praise and pour ovations to those that have made their good marks in
their respective endeavours of life when they are still living. By doing so,
you are paving way for your own fortune, indirectly.
In summary, life is more important
than death. You must have life before you can die. Let’s learn to celebrate
life and not death. You can celebrate your close friend, your relative, your
celebrities, your leaders in church and many others by making us learn they
exist today. Don’t do so when they are no more. A dead man does not need
prayers and praises.
