Awake o compatriots!

While I was on my Media Sabbatical break last week, a lot of events must have happened and some of them would have slipped by unnoticed; after all, the world is in a frenzy run and waits for no one. 

So it came as no surprise when I heard for the first time from a friend that another journalist had been killed during the course of the past week. 

Dimgba Igwe was killed by a 'hit and run' driver in his Okota neighbourhood of Lagos state during his routine workout session.

I thought to myself that he has unfortunately joined the list of unsolved murder cases of journalists in Nigeria.

Remember the young journalist that was killed in his home a few months ago? It was all over the news then and the police promised as always to investigate thoroughly.

So it wasn't news as I read that the IGP had promised a special and thorough investigation for this veteran journalist and Pastor. 

While we wait ( hopefully not endlessly) for the outcome of their investigation, I would like to bring to the fore some glaring questions:

1. How come no one got a glimpse of the vehicle , vehicle plate no or the driver responsible for this tragedy? 

I assume that if we had functioning security cameras on our roads and cities, I wouldn't be asking this question. Would I? 

2. Are our roads pedestrian- friendly? Do we have side walks and lanes for joggers and strollers? 

I was in Okota a few weeks back and believe me, asking for a side walk would be like asking for dessert when you haven't even had the proper meal.

I would be mincing words if I described those roads as a hell hole and I know that Okota residents would agree with me.

3. How soon did he get the proper medical  attention? Was he even given first aid at all? Did he get to the hospital?

 We are smacked in the face again with the reality of  an absence or near absence of effective emergency response and ambulance services in our country.

I could go on and on, but there's just one conclusion :

Dimgba Igwe's death like many other Nigerians who have died could have been avoided and prevented in a proper functioning society. 

His death like many others is a result of our failing state as a nation. 

The bitter truth is that only his friends and family would experience  the true  impact of his death.

After the tributes from far and wide,  initial 'Gra Gra' of the media ( which was his community) and empty promises of our men in black ( now men in blue, still MIB), Nigeria will move on and many more preventable and avoidable deaths will continue to occur. 

This sad trend will continue unless we wake up and act right.

One of my favourite musicians , Lagbaja put it rightly in his song '200 million mumu', which he ended by saying:

"Mumu no fit sleep forever, one day mumu go wake up. May the Almighty deliver us from evil".

It's time to wake up from our slumber.