Lessons From Michael Jackson’s Death

The death of Michael Jackson came as a shock to me and most of the rest of the world. Just when it seemed like he had gotten a new lease on life and was getting his groove back, death struck unannounced.

There is no doubt about Michael Jackson’s genius, he thrilled generations and his creativity was unrivalled.

It reminds all of us of the need to always put our affairs in order; as one does not know when the grim reaper will come calling. We are told his will was last updated in 2002, giving his 79 year old mother, Mrs. Catherine Jackson, custody of his kids; at a closer look that seems like a daunting task for a woman of her age, to rear, three lively kids.

The lesson here for all of us is the need to have a “living will” at all times and to have it constantly updated every year, as the dynamics of life are constantly changing.

No one is too young to have a will especially in this part of the world, it is a generally held belief that ‘wills’ are for old people or is seen as provoking bad luck on one’s self. If a survey is taken in Nigeria of persons in the age bracket of 40-60 years of age, of those with a living will”, my guess is that the percentage of those with living wills, will be negligible.

Only recently, we were informed that the late head of state, General Sani Abacha did not leave behind a will. This phenomenon is common amongst a lot of politicians and prominent individuals in society, leaving behind squabbling family members, thereby clogging up the courts with litigations.

In the Nigerian society, when the head of the family dies, his wife and kids are most often than not left with little or nothing. The deceased parents and siblings immediately take control of all his properties and savings, with no thought or consideration for his bereaved wife and for the future of the kids.

This situation calls for the attention of all segments of society, as sometimes it is also embedded in outdated traditional beliefs. There is need for the churches and mosques to take on this campaign and preach against it. Also for government to wake up to its responsibility to enact and execute laws that prohibit this practice in all its ramifications.

Civil society groups also should embark on massive campaigns at the communities, involving the traditional rulers and chiefs against this practice, to protect the rights of the widows and their children.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and all such related bodies should educate Nigerians on the importance of having a ‘living will’, and also advocate the need for the setting up of family courts, which will be special courts dedicated solely to handling litigations arising from family disputes.

This should also serve as a wake up call, to all Nigerian husbands for the need to make adequate provisions for their wives and kids. Stocks and bonds can be bought for them in which case outsiders cannot prey on it. Other investment portfolios can also be worked out as a safety net for the family.

There is a need to impress on all Nigerian husbands the need to leave a legacy for their families. It is a debt that is owed the kids to make provision for their education from kindergarten to university and also to provide shelter for them.

Innovative methods should be adopted where a man can have all his properties and investment portfolios domiciled in a card, and only the wife is the sole beneficiary. Thus he can keep this with him and in the event of his demise. It is then passed on to her.

That becomes like a life insurance policy. In all of this, I believe there are lessons for all of us. Nigerians need to begin to move away from the belief that making a will is provoking bad luck or ill fortune.

The times call for new ideas as we move along with the rest of the world in this 21st century.

Kellay resides in Port Harcourt.

Eudora Kellay