CampusLife
Adewura’s death: What is the value of Nigerian life?
BY: Damilola Faustino
After social media messages surfaced on May 15th that beautiful and recent graduate of the University of Lagos, Adewura Lateefa Bello; has gone missing along the Cement/Iyana Ipaja axis of the centre of excellence, hundreds of Nigerians contributed their likes, retweets and comments to make the message go viral and it sure did.
Sadly, social media has become a platform for Nigerians to report their
challenges, problems and concerns because the people, the government and its
parastatals have completely failed and collapsed at all levels.
Therefore, it came as a rude shock, a depressing tale of a country that ‘kills’ its own citizens when it was eventually confirmed that lovely and innocent Adewura has died. It is even more painful, unpleasant and irksome when you consider how she died.
She was not kidnapped like everyone had thought nor was she butchered! She died because of ‘OUR’ carelessness and negligence. How did she die? She fell in a manhole…a manhole that was supposed to be covered! How come the manhole was open?
The lackadaisical government official that was supposed to monitor them, the greedy man who removed the manhole and sold it, the man who bought it, the Nigerian who every day take that route and ignore the manhole as well as the government official who ride past that road in tinted convoy of cars and are blinded to these holes.
It then begs the question-what is the value of the Nigerian life? Uncle Jimi of Classic FM has asked this question severally! The life of a Nigerian is worthless, useless and insignificant. It is by the grace of God we are surviving in this country. Last…last…all of us go run go Canada! Like a singer sang: ‘If no be God ooo…If no be God…I for don finish! OYO.
Nigerians have been killed by our ragtag security agencies, some have been kidnapped and never found while others have been murdered by armed robbers. What about Nigerians killed by falling containers, tankers? The list is endless…No apologies, we die like chickens in this country.
We can only mourn Kolade Johnson, killed by a trigger-happy SARS official, Stephen Urueye, Unilag graduate and House Officer stabbed to death by arm robbers, Rotimi Adeyemo, the LASTMA official shot dead during an altercation with a SARS operative who was later beaten to death by a vengeful mob. Remember the stray bullet that hit a mother at Onipanu in 2017 because SARs officials were chasing yahoo boys? See how the lives of Nigerians are ‘wasting’ in Rivers, Jos, Bauchi and Benue.
To show you that we are in an ill-fated country, the killers of each of the aforementioned persons and those not mentioned are on the streets planning their next attack and readying their guns for the next life to take.
The death of Adewura will probably attract so much uproar for the next few weeks or months and everyone will move on afterwards. Annoyingly the status quo will remain until another disaster happens.
This leaves the family of Adewura to mourn like others without closure. Will they ever get closure? 98%-no and 2% yes. That is our Nigeria!
Nigeria, please convince us that the death of Adewura won’t go the same
way as others did because Nigeria you killed Adewura! Yes, you killed Adewura!
You murderer!
Who is the next person that will fall to the cold hands of the Nigerian manhole? Who will change the Nigerian narrative? Of course, it is not bubu…he is busy lounging in Aso-Rock waiting to leave in 2023 and definitely not the incoming governor of Lagos state. He is in the pocket of the man in Bourdillon. He dare not squeak! And the other governors?
They are too weak to resist the temptation of stealing. Oh, Fela…Oh, Gani…Where art thou?
Whatever the case may be, all manholes should be covered and whoever dares touch or even as much as open it; should be shot immediately! Nigeria needs ‘mad’ leaders to give us brain! These avoidable deaths must be ended. We are humans from Nigeria and someday somehow we MUST get there.
For the family of Adewura, we know the pain is unbearable and the loss irreparable but…I am sorry…I am lost for words to comfort the family…the only good news here is that she was found.
Let’s us all continue to pray for Nigeria to become a better place for everyone-the rich, and the underprivileged. Love your neighbours…and let’s all pray we do not fall prey to the bad side of Nigeria!
*Damilola Faustino, a Social Commentator writes from Lagos.
CampusLife
How To Identify Someone’s True Personality
There are times when you begin to observe somebody in your neighborhood, office, church or place of business. It might be someone you are beginning to like or someone you have interest in.
If it is any those reasons then you are likely to observe and decipher the person’s personality. However, here are some of the clues or things you need to look out for:
Observe the way they treat common people out there, e.g. Beggars, homeless people, waitress, cleaners etc. You can use this to measure their level of sympathy and empathy.
How do they talk about other people, do they mock, belittle and gossip about them? Such people cannot be trusted.
During difficulties and challenges in life, observe their behaviour. Are they calm or do they let their emotion overwhelm them? It’s either the person has the confidence or lacks confidence.
Anytime you are having a conversation with them: can they maintain eye contact or do they avoid eye contact?
Do you have a friend that remembers you only anytime he or she needs your assistance? It is a sign that the person doesn’t value a deep relationship and he or she is just using you.
CampusLife
Meet 19-year old Ebube Rebecca Okeke UniLokoja Best Graduating Student – Economics
- In this era, sorting isn’t a way out. If you run out of money, you’ll give your body and if they get tired what then do you give? – Ebube
BY: Sandra Ani
Nineteen year-old (19) Ebube Rebecca Okeke has emerged the Best Graduating Students (Department of Economic) and Best Graduating Student from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with a CGPA of 4:71, at the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State.
She attributed the feat to the mentorship by her mother, hard-work and prayers, stressing that she learnt a lot, not just academically but also about the environment.
GrassRoots.ng has a chat with Ebube…enjoy the dialogue
Can we meet you
My name is Ebube Rebecca Okeke, a graduate of Economics from Federal University Lokoja. I am 19 years old and I hail from Enugu State; Isi-Uzo Local Government Area to be precise.
Tell us about this big win of yours
To the glory of God; I emerged the Best graduating student from the Department of Economics and the Best graduating student from the Faculty of Arts and Social sciences with a CGPA of 4:71.
I particularly want to thank God for the grace, wisdom and strength. I also want to specially appreciate my mom; my best friend, mentor, role model and teacher. She thought me the value of hard-work, goal setting and goal getting. I’m grateful mom. To all of my lecturers, the entire staff of federal university Lokoja, my friends and family, Thank you for the support
I started this journey in the year 2015 and made straight A’s with a GP of 5.00 during my first semester in the university. That semester was tough and amazing. I learnt a lot, not just academically but also about the environment I found myself and how to make proper and beneficial decisions. I learnt the importance of relationships and diligence too. I made some pretty amazing friends, not just with students alone but with lecturers too and I’m grateful.
Every success story has bumps, but with the help of God, my family and friends I overcame. To everyone reading this, in which ever field you might be in you’ll definitely encounter challenges but don’t let it stop you, keep pushing.
To every student, read like it all depends on you, pray like it all depends on God and get a skill or develop your passion. Improve yourself mentally and other wise. The world’s changing, you should too.
How was it like growing up
I had an amazing child hood; went to the best primary and secondary schools; Spring Nursery and Primary school and Harmony Secondary school. Mom was very strict about the kind of movies and TV shows I watched; my social media activities and all that. It was annoying then, but now I’m grateful
Was there a time when teachers or mom had to force you to read?
Teachers; No. Mom; No. She basically just encouraged me, advised me and helped me through it. She was my lesson teacher. We did all my assignments together. During my undergraduate days, there were courses I didn’t really understand like Philosophy, Mom would read them and make notes/summaries for me.
In this era, some students believe it’s all about sorting, how can one stand out?
In this era, sorting isn’t a way out. If you run out of money, you’ll give your body and if they get tired what then do you give? Be diligent, don’t give the lecturers to put a negative tab on you. Attend classes, write all of your tests and assignments and submit on due dates
What’s your next plan?
To begin the real journey towards greatness. To start living and working towards my dreams and make impacts.
Congratulation, Ebube.
Thank you so much for this great opportunity and the feature.
CampusLife
Reps member donates 200-seater e-library to UNN
BY: Ikenna Oluka
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has inaugurated a 200-seater e-library furnished and donated to the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) by the member, representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Pat Asadu.
Inaugurating the e-library, Gov. Ugwuanyi commended Hon. Asadu for the bold initiative aimed at improving the standard of education in the university.
The e-library, which is located at Professor Paul Akubue Building, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, comprises 200 computers fully installed with internet facilities and office furniture.
Speaking at the event, the Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. A.A Attamah described the donation as “marvelous” and “unexpected”, adding the gesture has uplifted the university’s quest for educational excellence.
In his remark, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Igwe, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Patrick Uchenna Okpoko, thanked the parliamentarian for “the wonderful gesture”, commending Gov. Ugwuanyi for his good works in the state.
Shortly after the event, Hon. Asadu was honoured with a grand reception by his community, Ovoko in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area alongside the member representing Igbo-Eze South Constituency, Hon. Emeka Madu.
The reception, which was attended by Gov. Ugwuanyi and other dignitaries, according to the people of Ovoko, was in recognition of the numerous contributions of their two illustrious sons towards the development of their community, the state and the country.
The community also honoured Gov. Ugwuanyi for his support and participations of their sons in active politics and further to confer on him a chieftaincy title of “Ebubedike of Ovoko”.
Speaking, Dr. Pat Asadu, described Gov. Ugwuanyi as a worthy leader and great achiever with human-milk of kindness, whose positive disposition cuts across all segments of humanity.
He said the governor has “done so well in office and has positively transformed politics in this state”, uniting people and communities that have had issues in the past, such as Ovoko and Ibagwa-Aka after many years of enmity, “courtesy of your humility and forthrightness”.
He assured Ugwuanyi of the continued loyalty and support of his people even after he leaves office as the governor and prayed for God’s unflinching protection for him and his family.
Also speaking, Hon. Madu who extolled Gov. Ugwuanyi’s leadership qualities and the fatherly role he has played in his life stated that the governor has brought smiles to the people of the area through his infrastructural development and human empowerment programme, stressing that “today’s ceremony is a clear manifestation of His Excellency’s noble achievements.
“You have brought smiles to the people of Ovoko in particular and Igbo-Eze South in general. Without you we wouldn’t have been here. Your humility, Godly devotion, peace and infrastructural development are unprecedented and worthy of commendation”, Hon. Madu said.
In his speech, Bishop of Enugu North Diocese (Anglican Communion) Rt. Rev. Sosthenes Eze, applauded the governor for entrenching peace and good governance in the state, maintaining that his peace initiative and paradigm shift in developing the rural areas are commendable and unprecedented.
“Your Excellency, your approach to peace and security and your massive infrastructural developments especially in the rural areas, speak volume. We pray God to continue to bless you and your unrelenting efforts to take Enugu State to greater heights.
Earlier, the council chairman, Hon. Dr. Fidelis Odo, disclosed that the governor’s recruitment of forest guards and members of the neighbourhood watch groups has given succor to many families and provided security to the people of the state.
He thanked the governor for making it possible for two of their illustrious sons to represent them at both National and State Assemblies, pointing out that many of their people have been appointed into government by the present administration in the state.
Responding, Governor Ugwuanyi thanked them for the reception and reiterated his unalloyed commitment towards serving the people of the state irrespective of political, religious or social affiliation.
He solicited their continued prayers and thanked them for honouring him with a chieftaincy title.