Last week, I stood at the edge of a grave as a pastor invited close family to pour the last sand. In that moment, a mother broke down. I held her as the red earth settled over her son, only 38 years old. A parent should always outlive the child, yet here was the opposite.
As I walked away, one question stayed with me: Why are young people leaving so early?
This is about prevention and about the choices we make. Young Nigerians live with stress, hidden illnesses, late diagnosis, heavy economic pressure, untreated mental health struggles, and poor lifestyle habits. All of these shorten lives that should remain in their prime.
For too long, the advice has been to start regular health checks at 40. From what I have seen, 30 should be the new starting point. By that stage, many already carry the weight of family and career responsibility. A simple round of tests—blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, body weight, and mental health assessments—can create a bridge to longer years. Small checks, big difference.
Also Read: http://NCDC Issues Alert as Ebola Outbreak Hits DRC
On the road back to Port Harcourt after the burial, I passed a group of young people celebrating by the roadside near Etche. Their laughter was full of life, and it reminded me of how fragile each moment is.
Joy is valuable, yet it must walk hand in hand with safety and responsibility. Too many lives end in accidents, heavy drinking, or careless choices that could have been avoided.
Life is short. Show care. Life is precious. Take health seriously. Life is hard. Do good work that allows you to provide. That is how we honor those we lose, not only with tears but with action.
Check your health. Rest more. Drink less and drive sober. Speak out when the weight is heavy. Support others. We may not control how many years we are given, but we can live them wisely. If we choose well, fewer parents will weep at gravesides too soon.
