Have you written your will?

I walked past them in the estate where I stay. And someone asked his friend if he had written his will in the light of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic. That got me. This disease is no respecter of persons. How many Nigerians leave a will? Only a handful, with contestations which go on forever in court for some who left massive estates for their progenies.

The matter of writing a will, some people have said, is a sad reminder that they will die, and it is much better for them to not think about death and for children to settle accounts themselves when they are long gone.

Have you written your will? This is a difficult subject matter in Nigeria.  What is there to leave behind for children in Nigeria in the light of massive poverty? What people earn is not within the threshold to solve major challenges, save and leave heirlooms for descendants. It is only to feed.

For those who love to read, they may leave books for their descendants, but these generations prefer technology to reading books. Books, therefore, may make no sense. And if there are no children in the household, the phenomenal task would be to find extended family members who may love to read books; otherwise, these books may be cashiered to public libraries and schools, in need of such books. Where are the public libraries’ by the way? You have to travel to the city to visit a library as there are practically no libraries in the suburban and rural areas in Nigeria.

In the event of a total lockdown, how can Nigerians survive, especially since there aren’t many organized restaurants as in the United States? Some borders in the United States have been closed by order of state governors as a coronavirus prevention measure but some restaurants are still cooking, delivering ‘take-out orders’ only. You notice this on their web page. You can call to make your order and drive over there to pick it up. Are there such services in Nigeria in all localities except only in elitist areas of major cities?

So, how do we handle this disease knowing full well that not many Nigerians can boast of having food that will last them a week? What comforting measures would the government provide to cushion the effect of starvation and the supplies of medicine in emergencies?

There are no emergency ambulances in the area where I live, unlike we see in the movies, and the amount to hire one from hospitals in Nigeria on the days of difficulties is high. At times, it is also hard for folks to donate their vehicles for people in an emergency. And suppose people need help, where does the government of Nigeria come to their aid?

I find it disturbing to think that there is not much for Nigerians to leave for progenies in the event of deaths arising from the Coronavirus pandemic. It is scary but true. You work so hard in Nigeria with little return on investment and there are no opportunities to sign credit card slips.

This pandemic is not the end of the world; we will outlive it. Recourse should also be given to the writing of wills, for death is a necessary end that will come when it must come.

Simon Abah,

Abuja

Coronavirus: Abba Kyari Confirms Health Status, Says He Is Moving To Lagos For Isolation
The Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, has admitted that he has tested positive for coronavirus, saying that he was being moved to Lagos for further tests and observation. He has also explained that since he discovered his status last week, he had borne his own treatment to prevent… Read full story

COVID-19: God Proving His Might, Adeboye Says
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has revealed that the reasons that countries of the world are experiencing COVID-19 pandemic is as a result of divine setting. He made the submission while speaking at the Sunday Service on the church broadcast, Dove… Read full story

Eight Strains Of Coronavirus Are Circling The World, Scientists Say
At least eight strains of the coronavirus are making their way around the globe, creating a trail of death and disease that scientists around the world are tracking by their genetic footprints… Read full article

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE