Death Is Certain, Time Is Unknown, Enahoro Urges Nigerians To Choose Kindness And Service

Engr. Mike O. Enahoro, PhD, has urged Nigerians and members of his generation to live purposeful lives, embrace kindness, make peace with one another and devote themselves to service to God and humanity, stressing that death is inevitable but its timing remains unknown.

Enahoro, an Edo-born activist, political analyst, social communicator and solution provider, made the call in a reflective piece titled “Death Comes for Us All: Choose Kindness, Goodness, and Service.” He said the recent death of a college alumnus prompted him to reflect on the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death.

According to him, death should not be regarded as an unexpected phenomenon because every human being begins a journey from birth whose ultimate destination is death, even though nobody knows when that journey will end.

“There is one appointment that every human being will eventually keep, regardless of age, wealth, status, education, religion, position or influence,” Enahoro wrote, describing death as an appointment that cannot be cancelled, postponed, transferred or delegated.

He noted that people often devote their lives to acquiring wealth, academic qualifications, businesses, positions of authority and social recognition, but none of these achievements can exempt anyone from the reality of mortality.

Enahoro, who identified himself as a Christian who grew up in a predominantly Muslim environment and has studied theology, drew from both the Bible and the Qur’an to emphasise the universality of death and the shared humanity of people across religious divides.

He cited Ecclesiastes 3:2, which speaks of “a time to be born, and a time to die,” alongside Qur’an 3:185, which states that every soul will taste death.

He stressed that his references to both faith traditions were not intended to compare religions or promote one faith over another, but to encourage people to recognise their common humanity despite differences in religious beliefs.

“Let us be kind to one another, do good whenever we have the opportunity, and ultimately serve God according to the dictates of our respective faiths and belief systems,” he said.

A Reminder About Time

Reflecting on the passage of time, Enahoro drew attention to people who graduated from university in 2002 or earlier, noting that 24 years have already passed since 2002.

He observed that a person who graduated at the age of 21 in 2002 would be about 45 years old today, while someone who graduated at 25 would be about 49, and another who graduated at 30 would be about 54.

Adding another 35 years, he noted, would take those individuals to approximately 80, 84 and 89 years respectively.

Enahoro clarified that his calculation was not intended to predict who would survive to those ages, but rather to demonstrate how quickly time passes and how the future can bring people to ages that currently appear distant.

He warned that nobody knows whether they will live another 35 years, 35 months, 35 days, 35 hours or even 35 seconds.

“This is neither a prophecy nor a curse. It is simply a reminder of the uncertainty of human existence,” he stated.

He further referenced the Bible and Qur’an to reinforce the message that the future is beyond human control, citing Matthew 24:36 and Qur’an 31:34.

Call for Forgiveness and Reconciliation

The activist urged Nigerians to reconsider the way they treat one another, arguing that the awareness of life's brevity should discourage hatred, bitterness, jealousy, pride and prolonged disagreements.

He questioned why people should spend years keeping malice or allow anger and resentment to consume the limited time available to them.

According to him, people should learn to apologise, forgive and make peace while they still have the opportunity.

“Life is simply too short for hatred and bitterness,” he said, citing Ephesians 4:32 and Qur’an 3:134 as religious reminders of the importance of kindness, forgiveness and doing good.

Enahoro also criticised the tendency to appreciate people only after their death, saying society often waits until funerals before expressing love, respect and gratitude that could have been demonstrated while people were alive.

He therefore encouraged individuals to appreciate their loved ones, speak kind words, demonstrate love, offer support and do good without waiting for a crisis or death to create the opportunity.

‘Do Good While You Can’

The Edo-born commentator further urged people to use every opportunity available to them to positively impact the lives of others.

Drawing from Galatians 6:10 and Qur’an 99:7, he maintained that good deeds should not be postponed because human life itself is temporary.

He argued that material possessions and social achievements would ultimately be left behind, stressing that wealth, houses, businesses, cars, academic qualifications, titles and positions would have no relevance to a person after death.

“What will matter is the life we lived, the people we helped, the hearts we touched, the kindness we showed, the good we did and the values we left behind,” he said.

He also emphasised the importance of one's relationship with God and preparation for the hereafter, citing Matthew 16:26 and Qur’an 18:46.

Service, Not Oppression

Enahoro said faith should be demonstrated through conduct and service, arguing that genuine worship should produce kindness, knowledge should produce wisdom and wealth should create opportunities to assist others.

He urged people in positions of authority to see their offices as avenues for service rather than oppression, while encouraging influential individuals to use their influence to unite rather than divide society.

“Our words should heal rather than destroy. Our influence should bring people together rather than tear them apart,” he said.

He stressed that every new day provides an opportunity to correct mistakes, reconcile with others, assist those in need, improve oneself and draw closer to God.

According to him, tomorrow should never be treated as a guaranteed possession because it remains only a possibility.

A Message to His Generation

Enahoro's central message was particularly directed at people who graduated from university in 2002 or earlier, whom he urged to reflect on how much of their earthly journey may already have passed.

While acknowledging that some people live exceptionally long lives, he said the uncertainty surrounding longevity should inspire rather than frighten people.

He maintained that the knowledge that death is inevitable should encourage people to live more meaningful lives, rather than spend their remaining years in hatred, unnecessary conflict and bitterness.

“Death is a must-go-round. Nobody escapes it,” he declared, urging people to forgive, love, make peace, help others, do good and serve God while they still have the opportunity.

Enahoro concluded with a call for people to stop waiting until death before demonstrating love and appreciation for one another.

“Rather than waiting to cry over one another, let us be kind to one another now. Rather than waiting to regret the good we could have done, let us do good now,” he said.

He urged people not only to prepare for their eventual funeral but, more importantly, to prepare for eternity.

“Death is inevitable; the time is uncertain. Let us therefore live right while we still can,” Enahoro concluded.