Job Seeker Narrates his near death experience while traveling for an Interview with KPMG in Lagos

A Nairalander shares his near death experience. Read below:


This time last year, my life flashed in front of my eyes. It was the closest near death experience I’ve ever had. My folks will say if the death that ought to kill someone end up shaving your head, then one should have every reason to be grateful. I had an interview appointment with KPMG in Lagos, so I had to travel all the way. Unfortunately, I was involved in a road crash on the popular Lagos/Ibadan highway.

From the onset, I had this uneasy feeling because the bus made a loud sick creaky sound when it was started at the park. As a matter of fact, its rickety looks was baffling than usual. But waiting for the next bus wasn’t an option. The probability of missing my interview was 90 percent putting the steady traffic into deliberation. Or should I say I prioritized KPMG’s offer than my own life. A risk I will never take again.

Just about an hour into the journey, we were out of the city in the middle of absolutely nowhere. I could feel the bus forcefully pick up speed as we cruised down the pothole ridden highway. We were going pretty fast at about 100km per hour. The mere thought of the rigors I was going to go through in Lagos as the sun arose from its slumber made me exhausted from within. That informed my decision to get some sleep as I fell slowly into slumber.

I was just about dreaming about myself in 3pieces Italian suit repping KPMG and travelling all over at KPMG’s call, attending world class trainings and conferences beyond the shores of Nigeria, applying all the special graces, etiquettes and poise learnt from school of poise during business dinners and meeting tall beautiful and brilliant career ladies. As I imagined my radiantly glowing future with KPMG, I felt a smile on my gentle face.

Then all of a sudden I heard a very deafening bang from behind… dearest brethren the rear tire blew out (bursted) on motion and immediately the jostle for the steering began as one of the passenger seated by the driver was either competing or helping the driver to have that much needed life saving grip on the steering. Everyone started shouting Mohammed, Jesus, Ifa as the bus swerved left and right simultaneously on the road with death lurking at the corner. Babies were crying as mothers called out to their children.
That moment, my calmness superseded that of River Oni in Efon Alaaye Ekiti state. That innate fear of death we were all born with just vanished, and nothing really mattered any more. But the thought of how they are going to deliver my dead body to my family petrified me. I could visualize my brother or my sister already claiming my body in tears. I pitied the struggles of my parents but what do I do? I muttered to myself Mum, Dad, and Siblings….this is where it all ends. I love you so much. I wanted to reach for my pen to write down my own epitaph but I could not find my pen.

I began to wonder what becomes of all my mahogany tall dreams of the future I have always envisioned. So condolence registered will be opened? Just like that? I thought I was going to be another case of many that were born talented but die unknown. That moment I knew the whole lot that makes us human is just pure vanity. I had no choice than to close my eyes with the expectations of opening them in the afterlife.

The driver applied break and then bus tumbled off the road, rolled down by the side twice and fell into a mini cliff around shagamu. It was such a gory sight to behold. I thought I was going to die. The chilly breeze on my body was the best thing I’ve ever felt. I was so grateful that I wasn’t even injured at all. I was the first to get out alive unaided before people came to the rescue. Some people were carried off in Frsc truck designated as ambulance almost breathless as they fight against death unconsciously.

I realized two people were trapped inside the bus. In fact, I wanted to sit where they were seated, but I changed my seat twice by divine arrangement. I wasn’t certain if they made it out alive, because I didn’t stay long enough to find out. I left the scene and got picked up by a Good Samaritan that was heading towards my destination. It is a pity our government really do not value the life of her citizens. If they really do, every bus in our parks would have been monitored and regulated before every trip. In fact, the sight of some of them is enough reason for a life impoundment.

Nonetheless, this experience has taught me never to forsake myself at the expense of anything again. I should not have cared about getting late for the interview or even missing it. If I had died, KPMG will not pay me a kobo because I am not even an employee yet. I have learnt to appreciate the people around me the more.

To everyone reading this right now, please take a second to appreciate everything in your life. Tell your parents you love them. Call your best friends for hook up sometimes. Because you never know what can happen unpredictably. “May we not travel whenever the highway is hungry” like my folks would pray. I thank God for sparing my life and I still made it to the venue of interview that same day on time and passed. My friends said I should have gone back home immediately after the accident though.

Have you had a similar experience? Please share with us.