A significant number of Nigerians hope to go to Paradise when they die.
They are told every passing day that the streets of this Paradise are paved with gold and that there is a plethora of luxury items to be enjoyed at will just by the dint of sheer desire.
The conclusion that can be drawn here is that this Paradise is one extremely neat and very, very clean.
Disappointingly, those residents here on earth who strongly desire to go to Paradise are not doing enough preparations in terms of personal hygiene and general cleanliness.
How can anyone desire to go to a place paved with gold whilst he or she do open defecation with abandon?
Other than open defecation on roads and backyards, many Nigerians do not properly dispose of their refuse and raw sewage, and they are constantly beset by flies and vermin infestations. There is obviously a big contradiction here, no doubt about it.
Without telling anyone to quit believing in the promises of the popular religions, the Federal Government through the Minister of Information, could initiate a win-win public awareness campaign of constantly reminding Nigerians that it does make an iota of common sense to experiment with enjoying some of the promised luxuries (good food, especially) while still on earth, without exhibiting cleanliness.
Taken seriously, this campaign would promote good hygiene across Nigeria and ultimately improve the quality of life.
It will also save the Federal Government vast sums of money in emergency health care response.
The recent meningitis crisis is just but a case in point.
Sunday Jonah
Minna, Niger State
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