It is either we have lost the ingredients that make us human, or we are raising generations in ignorance 🌸💔
Today, I watched a clip from an accident scene. People gathered, shouting: “o kwa new okada,” “hey!! onye nkea anwugo oo!,” “Oh! negodu onye nkea, o ka na eku ume.”
All these exclamations were nothing more than passing comments from bystanders surrounding victims of a motorcycle accident 🌼
Phones were out. Cameras were rolling. But no one was truly helping—not even those who were still breathing 💔🌺
There was no proper crowd control. Of course, no ambulance. No police. Just a sea of onlookers recording, yet no one seemed to have even the slightest idea how to assist the struggling victims of that tragic mishap 🌸
That scene exposed something deeper—the level of ignorance that exists among our people when it comes to first aid and basic life support. It also highlights how poor our road safety awareness is, and how content creation focuses on everything else but rarely on health and safety education 🌼💛
It raises serious questions:
How do people even obtain driving licences in Nigeria?
How does the Federal Road Safety Corps create awareness about road signs, enforce them, and hold defaulters accountable? 🌺
Indeed, we are in serious trouble 💔
People are dying every day. According to WHO records, about 36,000 deaths result from road traffic accidents in Nigeria, placing us among the highest in the world. That is about 33.7 deaths per 100,000 people annually 🌸
The painful truth is this—we have become used to it 🌼
While poor road safety awareness contributes greatly to these accidents, drug misuse and abuse also play a significant role.
There is little or no system to properly check drivers or the condition of vehicles. Even more troubling is that in many motor parks, alcohol is openly sold to drivers—and passengers see it as normal 💔🌺
Imagine placing your life in the hands of a drunk driver and still praying for journey mercies 🌸
There is so much to say about how we have gradually devalued human life, allowing people who care less about us to represent us in governance.
We now reject what is good because we have lived so long with the worst that it feels normal 🌼
We record people fighting for their lives just to gain cheap comments and likes instead of helping them 💔
Road safety officials are blamed for enforcing the law.
Drivers obey a madman with a stick faster than they obey traffic lights 🌺
How can we begin to solve these problems? 🌸
First, equip yourself with knowledge of first aid, basic life support, and safety precautions 🌼
In cases of fire outbreaks or accidents, follow evacuation procedures—save your life first. Leave belongings behind 💛
When fuel tankers fall, run far away from the scene. Call the fire service (know the number in your area and save it). Do not scoop fuel—one small spark can cost you your life 💔
Obey traffic rules. Do not travel with a driver who drinks alcohol. Speak up. Protest if you must. Encourage other passengers to do the same. Gather evidence and report offenders 🌺
Finally, life is precious 🌸
Never find joy in watching another person lose theirs. Read. Learn. Get involved. Even in governance—be part of the change we desperately need 🌼💛
Enough of these deaths. Enough of losing innocent lives 💔
If you believe we deserve better as a people, comment YES 🌺
I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi
Pen it down. 