A student of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFAPOLY), Campuslife reporter Abiodun Afeez Adeyemo and his mother, Mrs Deborah Oluwatoyin, have died in a road crash.
Their bus had a head-on collision with a trailer on the Ogbomoso-Oyo road. They were on their way to Oko, their hometown, in Oyo State.
The late Afeez had always been accompanying his mother to buy goods.
Residents of Oko in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State were all tears last Tuesday when the bodies were brought home for burial. The Adeyemo family members were inconsolable at the funeral.
Students were led to the event by Students’ Union Government (SUG)President Imran Yusuf. The late Mrs Adeyemo’s church members attended the ceremony, which was conducted in Christian and Islamic ways.
In his tribute, Imran said: “Afeez was a loyal comrade and dynamic students’ leader. When he was elected into Students’ Representative Council (SRC), his contributions to discussions were always articulate. He died at the time his experience is needed to reform the union. His death is a great loss to the polytechnic.”
National Vice President of National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) Ibrahim Seriki, described the late Afeez as a “radical activist”, saying the late student used his reportorial skill to fight for students.
He said: “His good deeds would not be forgotten. He used his journalism skills to fight for students. We console his family and pray that almighty Allah give them the fortitudes to bear the irreparable loss.”
A former SUG president, Festus Adedeji, said he was still in shock, saying: “His death is tragic.”
Akinola Oluyi, a radio presenter, who introduced the late Afeez to CAMPUSLIFE, fought back tears, saying he was a dependable colleague.
Akinola said: “Afeez was a brilliant student, who was always willing to learn. He was fearless and ready to sacrifice his wellbeing to promote students’ cause. He was never afraid to write against the management if he felt the need to do so. I am yet to come to terms over his death. May his soul and that of his mother rest in peace.”
His classmate, Soliu Idayat, wrote on his Facebook wall: “This is sad news. Afeez came to my hostel last week Thursday and told me he would be travelling to Ogbomoso with his mother. He said he came to bid me goodbye, but I didn’t know he was saying farewell. He said he was hungry. I cooked rice and we ate together. He told me he would return on Sunday, but I got news of his death. It is so painful. May Allah grant you and your mum Aljanat firdaus (paradise).”
Kayode Afolabi, a HND 1 Mass Communication student, said: “I have lost a confidant. We were good friends and I respected his styles of writing. He was jovial and well-mannered. I never believe such a cruel fate would befall such a gentle soul. I pray God forgive him.”
The late Afeez was the first of his parents’ two children. He was born on March 27, 1990. He was a member of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and Committee for Preventing AIDS Society (PAS). Before his death, he was aspiring to contest for SUG president.
