In different shades we get to welcome you. For some you come with peace even though in that peace, there is not so much ease. For others, you are as severe as severity can be but in all of these, you’re only a tool used by the Greatest to design and shape the destiny of His progeny.
The past couple of weeks have witnessed amongst many other deaths, the deaths of two icons in their own rights. First, the death of popular Yoruba Trado-medical Professional, Alhaji Fatai Yusuf, popularly referred to as Oko Oloyun (Husband of the pregnant), a name many believe stemmed from the formative years of his practice where majority of the work he did revolved around helping pregnant women deliver with ease.
The second, which of the two, is bigger, most popular yet this year and arguably the most renowned, in terms of worldwide coverage, even though the former is also recognized worldwide, to an extent.
Caught in the web of life, it was a shock to hear of the passing away of Oko Oloyun during the sermon at Friday’s Jum’ah Service. “Let’s remember the late Fatai Oko Oloyun in our prayers” were the words from the Imam’s speaker that made me feel like I had never heard of someone die before. I had the “uhn, who? Died? How?” look on my face and one of the first things that came to my mind was one of his subsidiaries – an investment firm- that was advertised on radio sometimes back. Immediately, I just thought to myself, “So, all that investment and money he’s got, he no longer has access to them“, my heart quivered.
I first saw the news of Kobe Bryant’s death in a message sent by my brother and senior colleague. From the notification, I felt he was trying to dispute a rumour of Kobe’s supposed death. Such rumours are abound. At least, we still hear rumours that Jubril of Sudan is our current president and not Muhammadu Buhari like we all think.
After confirming Kobe’s death, I began to reminisce growing up, how I used to love waking up at midnight just to watch the NBA on Silverbird TV, when their bird was indeed still silver. The likes of Kobe, Allen Iverson, Kidd, Dirk Norwitski, Steve Nash, Gnobli, Tim Duncan and Big Shaq used to be my top guys.
Later on that night listening to Brila FM, a lot was said about Kobe. How Charlotte Hornets in 1996 made the biggest mistake of their lives, by trading Kobe with Lakers having initially drafted him. How Kobe went on to spend 20 years in the NBA and 18 of those as an All-Star winning 5 NBA Championships in the process. How many of his feats can we mention?. In the twinkle of an eye, all of these have disappeared. Oh My!
I remember sometimes around December 2019, for the first time in like forever, I was dead scared that my mum was going to kick the bucket. She had been rushed to the hospital by my Aunt’s house assistant. It was that day I experienced taking Uber in the middle of the night. We got to the hospital and she was barely looking at us, no expression on her face. I even tried teasing her, hoping she’d laugh as usual but she just maintained the straight look. I was scared stiff. All thanks to God, she’s better and kicking now.
If death had a ransom, even the poor would not mind taking a life loan to pay it off.
No one wants to die yet, it’s inevitable for every soul.
Not until death visits us, either directly or through a close relation or contact, we always do not realize how close it is to us, even though we always like to see it as far. Kobe and Oko Oloyun have both died. Whatever it is they had or were in this life, every fame they]] acquired is now very meaningless to the journey ahead of them.
Be you a Muslim or Christian and even for traditional worshippers, one of the very few things we all agree upon is the believe that there is a judgment day or better still, paradise and hell. There’s no need to ask which one anyone would love to be a part of, the response is very glaring. The big question however is, have you prepared for the unending life? Are you good to go? Oh, NYSC days; “Good to go, good to go, good to go”.
The companion called death which we all will one day welcome takes not into account your age, gender, ethnicity or color. It is a boundless companion, one that comes to whoever it wishes.
For to Him is our inevitable return, the matter of choice is left out in this. The journey called life is only but for a brief period. Tick, tock.
First published on Bleeding Ink Pot