Sanya slumped last Sunday, somewhere in Shagamu
He was 58years old, my friend, classmate and in-law
He was of my generation, and we are all now in the last trimester of our lives
It was time to be born, then we went to primary school, then we did secondary, and then we went to university
Then we started work, and now we started getting married and started having children
Our children started primary school, secondary school and university
We were born between the mid 60s and mid-70s, and we have started dying
This inevitability doesn’t shock me as I see signs of physical deterioration in our generation regularly
The poorer ones showing much more applicable signs with their gaunt looks, bald hair, and sickly demeanour
The richer ones use their wealth to push back – diets. Good medicals etc
But we are still dying. Plucked from life one after the other like leaves dropping off trees in summer
Official mortality rate is 62, and very few of us will cross it. Sanya had four years to go, but couldn’t wait and chose Sagamu as his gate way
It’s the pyramid of life; as we grow older, very few stay, and our health services and general demeanour towards these things keep thinning the pyramid to the point that the tip of the pyramid is very thin with survivors
Official figures show that 5% of our over 200m people are aged 60 and above, confirming that we are dying
James will hit 60, and his wife has sent me notice for his celebration, and I noted that it will be at church
Fittingly so, he has to be very close to his maker like the rest of us, cos the days are being counted
It’s time for our generation to die, and yes, we are dying and must come to that realisation and prepare
I am prepared; I fear it, but I am prepared
This last trimester, I’m approaching would be that of self, cos inevitably it will just be me in that grave with the rest pouring dust on my casket – I prefer cremation though, the way Sanya was poured dust and after that everyone will walk away to an Owambe where they will get drunk and move on
It’s time to die, know that and know peace. Simple
Come and beat me
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: August 22, 2026
