Confession:my friend Deji,the God Bad Guy ...by Eniola Joshua

For me it has always been theUniversity of Lagos or nowhere else. Well, more truthfully put, UNILAG was actually my best Nigerian choice. Before you judge me for having a parochial dream,I will like you to know that I once applied to Harvard and MIT but despite my 2200/2400 SAT score; I was given only a partial scholarship. Well, what was to be partial still meant millions of naira which my parents could not afford. With time passed under the bridge, I certainly have many regrets but going to UNILAG is not one of them. Most of my enduring friendships today started at the famous Akoka Campus. That’s something you’ve got to give Nigerian Federal Universities: they are a melting point for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, gender or social status. So amazing that the children of a Farmer, Mechanic, Permanent Secretary and even Governor, can all be in the same class! UNILAG was a meeting point of not just that but several young brainy students across Nigeria. I will never forget one of the most intelligent guys I ever met at UNILAG; Deji. Life seemed tipped to favour him with good looks, wealth and outstanding genius. I remember those lonely periods of reading overnight while Deji went clubbing. I was more of a Christian fellowship person than a clubber but what amazed mewas that while I struggled to get a bother line A, Deji effortless got an outstanding A. I doubt you’ve met someone like him. Aside being a first class student, Deji never drank at the club when he drove his car except he used a cab. He believed he was destined to become an Engineer that will pioneer technological revolution in Nigeria and Africa. Nobody dared doubt him because he was simply your typical good badt guy. Interestingly, his Parents had both met several years earlier as students of UNILAG and Deji was poised to repeat the feat. Well, that was the excuse he gave us as he kept sampling different UNILAG babes until he eventually met Kike; the love of his life. Their love was destined to last forever only if that day, I wish never came, had not come… Before the commencement of our 4thyear in school, Deji and I rented a two bedroom flat along Akoka Road thoughI must admit he paid most of the rent and we were more like 3 flat mates (I, Deji and Kike). Being a regular clubber,Deji never returned from the club later than 3am and since as usual I had to study at night, I will stay up till 3am inorder to open the gate for him. Years have passed but I can never forget that fateful Friday night with Deji and Kike cruising in his “oye tight” (air-conditioned) metallic EoD (End of Discussion) to a popular club located on the Victoria Island part of Lagos. I had read till 3:30am and needed to go to bed but strangely Deji had not called me. I hoped he hadnot broken his rule of not drinking before driving. As the phone rang, I could hear his voice clearly at the other end. He assured me he was driving sober but had so much fun at the club that he couldn’t get himself to leave early. As we talked, I heard a piercing scream in my ear from the earpiece of my phone and that was it. My fingers still tremble as I remember the events of that early morning. I didn’t sleep till daybreak when I called Deji’s parents. Eventually, we were invited to the hospital to identify a body. It was not just a body; it was my genius friend Deji lying helplessly and quietly in a mortuary. Hiscar had had a head on collision with a trailer while we were on the phone. I wept at what my ill-fated phone call had done. Kike, theonly child of her parents, was in coma at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital for six months until she eventually went to join Deji in heaven. Friends, I share my grief mixed with guilt with you today because I placed a phone call that ended the life of somebody. It was not just somebody it was Kike and mybeloved friend/classmate. Deji was a genius wasted because he couldn’t justHANGUP AND DRIVE. I have realized that not just Deji andKike but several Nigerian youths have died in similar events because they failed to reject a call and face driving. Idare not blame the dead but Iwant to caution the living from avoidable deaths. The world Health Organization revealed that Road traffic injuries are the leading causes of death for ages 15-29 years and this must be brought to an end. In response to this, Box office and Arrive Alive will be hosting an awareness campaign taggedHANG UP AND DRIVEat theUniversity of Lagos Main Auditorium on the 31st of July, 2013. It will start with a Red carpet at12noonand feature Special Appearances by: The Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications Giants with Celebrities like Ali Baba, MI, Eldee, Kaffy, Sean Tizzle, Malaika, Kayefi, Reminisce, etc. commissioned as Project Ambassadors. With Buchi andTosyn Bucknor as MCs of the show, it promises to be filled with music, comedy and IMPORTANT LESSONS for everyone. Please it’s a free event and let’s all try to be there as we remember Deji, Kike and many more young people that have lost their lives because they engaged inphone calls while driving. It’s time we allHANG UP AND DRIVE. See you there!