My brother and I asked ourselves in a conversation:

"How many of our young friends that relocated abroad for years now have died?"

Answer: None

Sadly, we have lost quite a number of our young Nigerian friends.

Does this mean the quality of life directly impacts on lifespan?

One of my aunties that relocated recently once told me

"Victory, I can assure you that if I still lived in Nigeria, I would not be alive today. How would I have survived that incident at 3am with my husband out of town that night. How would I have gotten treated in Nigeria?"

Ambulances had to come pick her up at that time of the night and get her treated immediately.

We have lost many lives to the smallest of issues in this country and it is something that pains me a lot. Especially in the healthcare sector. If you no get money OYO is your case

Even if you get money. Pray another issue within the country doesn't stand in your way when you are trying to get help.

Too many needless deaths is what we have gotten accustomed to in this nation. And it actually pains me. Some of us just don't get it either.

There are times I have looked at this country and wondered what our greatest issue is. One day it hit me and I realized that:

"We don't value human life"

That is the beginning and the end of Nigeria's problem. Zero value for human life. We just don't get it

Do you know what it means to be driving on the highway and right by the side of the road is some sloppy path down into a vegetation? No barricades to stop an accident or mistake on that road? Instant death almost assured?

Or on a bridge with low barriers on the sides? Ehn

When people say "Na God dey keep is for this country" it is actually literal!

There are barely any structures in place to keep the citizens safe. It is just vibes and best of luck

This is why our prayers are different. Things common sense should solve need to be prayed about

Do you think if we valued human lives, there will be a single pothole on the road?

If pothole = accident = loss of life or property

Should we have any potholes or bad roads in the entire country? Nope we shouldn't.

Yet bad roads everywhere. Any life lost is not on the govt

The worst part of all this is that we have now all gotten used to it. It has affected our minds, our disposition our thinking.

We basically live like we don't deserve better. Terrible leadership has made us so used to mediocre living.

Na why person wey get iPhone be big boy.

Let's say you have been to other countries where 18-year-olds are driving Ferraris and have some of the good things that life has to offer, maybe a phone won't mean so much.

Maybe the police won't target anyone with a Benz as a yahoo boy. Sadly, the bar has been dropped too low

You want to cross the road and use zebra crossing. The next best joke you hear from someone is "You be zebra? You better cross road"

Our pain points have become jokes too. That's how we cope since we all cannot demand for better or create an alternate route for ourselves

Migration has become the next best thing to those who can afford it. Let's leave it since we can't change it.

If you speak up against government now as we are seeing. They wi target you, harass you or maybe kill you for demanding for your rights. This is our reality

But hey, I am generally not someone who easily speaks on issues like this cos e dey quick pain me. I fit get headache on top Naija issue quickly. So I distance myself.

Everyday the reality is there, staring at us in the face. If better was before, what about now? Tomorrow nko?

So every once in a while we Sorosoke. Cos we deserve better. We must never enter a position of comfort concerning the state of things in this nation.

I honestly pray things get better

In the meantime, just know that Nigeria is not reciprocating the Nigerian pledge back to you

Your pledge to yourself first of all, is to create a reality for yourself within this nation where you can actually live & be safe from the existing dangers

Tight God to your chest too

And if you are capable, visit other countries

Cos after all is said and done. E go be