By OBIOTIKA WILFRED TOOCHUKWU

"Death Be Not Proud" is a fourteen lines poem by English poet. John Donne; one of the leading figures in the metaphysical poets group of 17th century England Literature. The poem argued that death is not a powerful force and is not a final end, rather a transition to eternal life. Someone has rightly said that death is in the air, not just in Nigeria, but all over the world. In the past three years, the whole world contended with the powers of the grave during the COVID-19 pandemic. Human beings perished more unlike birds with flu. For every child of God, death is a threat and must be resisted by all means. Just as the eyes blink at the slightest touch; so does the human spirit respond to the force trying to take the breath away. Death, whether physical or spiritual, is an unwanted visitor to every household. Even though we might wish that all our enemies were dead, God does not approve the death of the most wicked or the deadliest creature. Therefore, death is an enemy not just to life but to the peaceful co-existence of damning souls.

Interestingly, we must take cognizance to the fact that not just the devil but the government has the power of death. Human institutions are modelled in such a way that they freshen human beings and restore hope to human struggles. Hope is to human spirit what air is to life of living beings. Perhaps, that justified the present mantra of the ruling party in Nigeria. "RENEWED HOPE AGENDA" is ad rem to the yearning of human spirit in a world filled with noise, confusion and wickedness. Death is often seen as the rage of the enemy. It's a plague sent to take vengeance on defaulters and those who live in defiance of the covenant. The Igbo man does not see the repetition of 'o biara igbu m, gbuo onwe ya' in his daily morning prayer as a petition but a cry for vengeance on his perceived enemies. A true African man believes that every death has a cause which is grounded in his philosophy of 'cause and effect'.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, is grappling with a silent crisis - an increasingly alarming death rate fueled by preventable causes. From rising insecurity to poor health care access and widespread poverty. It has become cumbersome and we're at such a critical crossroads. Reversing these trends demand urgent, unified action across all sectors of society. These deaths are mostly caused by hardship and hunger. The immediate outgone president of African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has lamented the reversal of trend; pointing out that there are more hungry people in the rural areas than in the cities. Many men are infidels because they could no longer provide for their families. On 30th March 2025, ASUU, bemoaned the loss of eighteen members in a month; hinting at sudden death.

Sudden death has become worrisome because young people and the young at heart are the most affected. The Chief Medical Director of COOU, Dr. Joe Akabuike, suggested that autopsy should be conducted to ascertain the major cause of increasing sudden deaths. However, experts have put it that hypertension and economic stress is the leading cause of sudden deaths in Nigeria. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also recorded 27% increase in complaints due to rise in the number of killings and abductions. 6, 896 were killed in Benue; 2, 630 killed in Plateau under two years. Villagers were sacked in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina. According to Isa Sanusi, Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, "These attacks deprive people of their rights to live while survivors are deprived of their livelihood". On the 27th of January, it was reported in Punch newspaper that worsening economic hardship fuels youth battle with depression, suicide. A lot of young Nigerians have collapsed, died abroad taking menial jobs; working overtime to survive without rest. Psychiatrists, on April 5, 2025, raised alarm over spike in economic-related mental disorders amongst Nigerian youths.

The presiding bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Dr. David Oyedepo, has emphasized that many Nigerians die not out of sickness or diseases but due to financial crisis. The Nigerian prelate, His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, said that the youths will remain restless until the right measures are taken to restore hope to them. Hardship and hunger had not only induced sudden deaths but also japa; high maternal mortality rate. Even widows are not left out. On December 2024, 35 children were killed in Oyo State over stampede; 22 widows died in Anambra State, 10 people in Abuja in a bid to receive clothes and food from benefactors.

Recently, the Supreme Court of Nigeria upheld the death sentence for a Christian farmer who defended himself against the killer-herdsman onslaught. Majority of young Nigerians have chosen to die than beg or be in pernury. Therefore, they engage in rituals, embrace foreign deities, unwholesome practices which are not just atrocious but detrimental to human endurance and sustenance.

In conclusion, it's time for the government and people of Nigeria to choose lifelong processes ensuring longevity. The rising death toll is not just a statistics - it's a reflection of lives lost, families broken, and potentials unfulfilled. To address the root cause of increasing sudden deaths; the quality of healthcare should be improved and the system of accessing affordable drugs strengthened. With bold leadership, garnished with compassion, commitment and empathy, strategic investments and collective efforts, we can reverse the trend and secure a healthier future for all Nigerians.

• Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu writes from Living Grace Restoration Assembly Inc.

Nkono-Ekwulobia, Anambra State.