Graduating from the University with prestige and hopes of gaining a white collar job, as this will fulfill his long standing desire to cater for, and deliver his family from poverty. Fred badged his Bachelor's degree with first class honour gaining him recognition and awards for outstanding performance, this also got him the opportunity of making his choice among the top organisations requesting for his immediate employment.
Fred, at this point of his life could only imagine his dream coming to life despite the struggles and the poverty situation of his family. Giving his speech as the best graduating student of that year, he said; “I give all thanks to God for the gift of life to witness this joyful day of my life. It is with sincere gratitude I appreciate all my tutors who have impacted in me their knowledge over the years and special thanks to my mum”. He paused and continued with tears rolling down his face " mum, thank you for not giving up on assisting and accompanying me on this journey of life. You worked yourself out to get me here this day despite the fact that you had to do it alone when dad passed on since I was six. I love you mum” he dropped the microphone reaching out to embrace his mother in the congregation.
A year passed already, how time flies. Fred successfully completed his service to his nation in the National Youth Service Corpse (NYSC) in one of the Northern states, he was set to launch on into the labour market. Fred decided to work with SPACECHELL; one for the leading construction companies in the country.
He resumed with enthusiasm as this was is dream coming to play. As expected of him due to his hardworking personality, in the space of three months he had attained a remarkable hight from a supervisor to a manager. With the employment benefits and salary, he could now imagine puting smiles on his mother's face. Among other benefits of his new appointment was a vacation incentive which he had planned of going with his mother after breaking the news of his accelerated promotion to her.
Getting set to go see his mother, he got dressed in his favourite white t-shirt on jean with a blue face cap, packed a few belongings and of course packaged a nice gift for her. He immediately set out early so as not to be delayed by traffic. Heading to the motor park, he boarded a cab and within few minutes arrived at the park. That day the park was crowded as it's custom on weekends.
In no time the bus passengers were complete, getting set to journey on, there was a loud noise, this made everyone in the park to start running to save their head for it was the sound of a gun, a notorious gang group had chased an enemy into the park. Fred seeing the situation at hand decided to join others in running for his dear life, running down towards the exit he heard a second gun shot. This time he found himself fighting for his life on the ground, for he has been shot. With curiosity, the gang members ran towards him to finish him off, only to get there and discovered that he was not their target. Fred was shot and now fighting for his life because he wore same outfit as the person on the run.
The gang members ran off to avoid being identified. Fred was quickly taken to the nearby hospital to receive medical attention. On getting to the emergency ward, the man who brought him in pleaded with the doctors and nurses to attend to him because he had already lost a lot of blood. The doctors refused to attend to him and the nurses too on the demand that there must be a police statement (report) to vert for his treatment since it was a gun shot wound. Fred gasping for his breath sudden discovered how his life and dream were coming to and end, with tears rolling down his face, he gave up the ghost.
The hopes and dream of an intelligent and vibrant youth collapsed within minutes.
News getting to his mother she collapsed and was later revived.
What change does the medical policies and systems need, to save the lives of many others who may fall victim like Fred ???
Feel free to give your suggestions and opinion.
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Photo credit: Pictures are from pixabay