He was rushed into the Accident & Emergency Room

Polytraumatized and unconscious

Accompanied by friends and relatives

Can this man live again?



The doctors and nurses got down to work on him

ABC of resuscitation, check; blood samples were taken for grouping and cross-matching

Other measures were also employed to save him

Can this man live again?



Out there in the waiting room, friends and relatives anxiously paced the floor

Concerned as to the fate of their loved one

One or two, however, silently wished he wouldn't make it

Can this man live again?



Forty-five minutes later, one of the doctors entered the waiting room

To the wife, he said, "Your husband's condition is critical but we've managed to stabilize him"

"With the level of degradation in his system, we're surprised he made it this far"

"Most people with similar problems end up dead even before they get to the hospital"



"We've carried out blood and urine tests", the doctor continued

"And detected life-threatening levels of corruption, immorality, recklessness, violence and greed"

"Poor project implementation, tribalism, dishonesty and other ills were also detected"

"How on earth did this happen to him"?



The relations shook their heads and sighed

"Doctor, we know this man and his bad lifestyle"

"Even though he's bad, many of us believe something good can still come out of him"

"And besides, yesterday was his 52nd birthday"

That's why we still ask, "Can this man live again"?



"We really cannot say at the moment", the doctor continued

"We've sent for 4 units of fresh blood to replace the ones he's lost"

"Fresh blood, free from corruption and toxins"

"Perhaps, that would be a good starting point"



"Over the next couple of hours or days, we hope to ensure he regains consciousness"

"But when he does, his progress becomes largely dependent on him"

"He needs to co-operate with us in the treatment measures we're going to adopt"

"The situation is dicey here, but, yes, this man can live again"

God bless Nigeria!!!

(This poem was written a year ago to commemorate Nigeria's 52nd Independence Anniversary).