- Lamentation trails alleged death of teacher
The mood in the home of Sunday Onyeisi Ufua, a three-time best science teacher award winner, was melancholic and desolate. A steady stream of mourners trooped into their modest home to commiserate with the family over his death.
His wife, Mrs Ufua Christiana Ngozi, dressed in black, clutched a large leather-bound Bible as she received sympathisers in an overcrowded living room.
Ufua was said to have collapsed and died after a confrontation he had with one of the school’s parents whose son was flogged for leaving the school’s premises and going into a nearby bush to steal some kegs of palm wine.
But outrage has trailed the death of Ufua with conflicting reports about how he died.
One account said that Ufua was flogged to death by an angry parent identified as Nnajiofor Nweke, after a teacher flogged his son for allegedly stealing kegs of palm wine from a bush adjacent the school.
Yet another account stated that the late Ufua only intervened in a confrontation between the angry parent and another teacher and subsequently slumped and died.
Weighing in on the matter, the branch Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ika South LGA, Mr Isaac Arimokwu, said: “We are embarking on a peaceful protest over the sudden death of one of us, the late Sunday Ufua, after a sudden attack on the members of staff of Alihame Mixed Secondary School, Agbor yesterday (Wednesday).
“We are calling on the Delta State Government and the police to bring the perpetrator to book.”
The 44-year-old suspect, Nweke, a butcher, who spoke to reporters at the Delta State Police Command in Asaba where he was paraded, claimed he was provoked by some comments made by a teacher.
He said he did not flog the deceased with a cane and had gone to his shop when he was told of Ufua’s death.
He said he was infuriated when the teacher called him a useless father for not teaching his son good morals.
His words: “I was arrested because of my son. I took my children to school, and because they flogged my children, the man looking after my baby called me to tell me that they flogged them.
“As I was about leaving, the deceased, who was taking care of my baby, told me that the man who flogged my son was inside the class.
“When I entered the class, I asked what his offence was, and they said he went to the bush to drink palmy (palm wine). I now said I would wait for the principal, but he provoked me by calling me a useless father who could not control his children.
“I collected the cane on the table to whip him, but the other teachers restrained me, asking me to report to the principal. Then it was time for me to go for my business and I went out.
“It was later my daughter came to tell me that the uncle that was taking care of them collapsed and died. I rushed back.
“I was not there when he fell. My son is 12 years old and he is in JSS 2.He provoked me with his comments, calling me a useless father.”
The Delta State Government has warned parents against taking illegal actions against teachers for correcting erring children and wards
In a condolence message to the family of the deceased and the state wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, Governor Oborevwori said the events that led to the death Ufua were condemnable and avoidable, urging the police authorities to investigate those behind his death with a view to serving justice on the issue.
He warned parents and guardians against taking illegal actions against teachers for correcting their erring children and wards, adding that such delinquent actions remained intolerable in schools across the state.
Governor Oborevwori said: “I have been briefed on the death of hardworking school teacher of Alihame Secondary School, Agbor, allegedly at the hands of a parent whose son had been punished for alleged bad behaviour.
“While I condole with the bereaved family and teachers across the state on the unfortunate and untimely passing of their father, son, brother and colleague, I have directed the State Police Command to investigate the allegations against the parent and the student with a view to ensuring justice is served on the matter.
“As a state government, we frown seriously at parents going to bully teachers for genuinely meting out disciplinary measures against students for bad behaviour such as is alleged in the extant case.
“I have directed the State Police Command to investigate the case properly and bring the perpetrators to book.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with the Ufua family and teachers across the state on the untimely and unfortunate demise of their father and colleague.
“As a state, we will never tolerate actions like this in our schools.”
Delta State NUT chairman, Titus Okotie, expressed sadness at the demise of Mr Sunday Ufua whom he described as a thoroughbred teacher who through hard work impacted on lives.
He praised the deceased for his many accomplishments, especially the several awards he won nationally and in the state. He called for speedy conclusion of investigation to bring the case to a close.
Despite her numbing loss, Ufua’s wife, Ngozi, spoke proudly and glowingly about her husband’s dedication, commitment to church activities, family and work.
According to her, her pain is lessened by the fact that her husband lived an exemplary life of commitment to God.
Her words: “My husband and I call ourselves by the pet name Treasure, which he deliberately christened our first daughter. He was my teacher and mentor.
“He always encouraged us to be punctual, diligent and committed in anything we do. He believed in God and dedicated his life to His service.
“His death is a rude shock to us. I didn’t believe he could die so untimely.”
She said three favourite Bible verses which her husband often quoted had helped immeasurably to assuage her loss, because they epitomise his life on earth.
She said: “I was inconsolable at the news of his death. I went on my knees before God and asked God, ‘Where is your son and who will do your work?’
“I prayed ceaselessly. But a voice asked if I had the power to give life, to which I replied no.
“Later, I started meditating on his favourite scriptures which are Proverbs 22:1 (a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favour rather than Silver and Gold; Proverbs 22:29 (seest thou a man diligent in his business he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mere men); and Ecclesiastes 9:10 (whatsoever thy hands findeth to do, do it with thy heart for there is no work, not device, not knowledge, not wisdom in the grave).”
The distraught widow spoke about his late husband’s selflessness, recalling that as a Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics teacher, he taught many students for free.
She added that the late Ufua was a devout Christian who coordinated the children and teenage ministries at the Church of God Mission International where he worshipped.
She said: “My husband, until his death, was involved in the children and teenage ministries where he coordinated both ministries at the Church of God Mission, Anioma Bishopric.
“Even when there were plans to elevate him to pastor a parish, he politely declined, preferring to remain a pastor in charge of children and teenagers.”
She urged the state government to come to her aid with regard to the educational needs of her four children, stressing that since her husband died in active service this was the least the state government could do for her family.
A representative of the family, Reverend Kenneth Ogadi, described the deceased as “a gift from God to impact knowledge to children and teenagers.”
He said Ufua lived with him in Ogwashi-Uku where he served as a civil servant, stressing that due to Ufuas’ dedication to duty, all the schools from which he was transferred protested his transfer.
His words: “Ufua is a renowned teacher of note. He was the Physics teacher in the various schools he taught. He taught in Adaigbo Secondary School, Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South LGA.
“There was a huge protest at Adaigbo Secondary School when he was transferred to Azagba Secondary School, Aniocha North LGA. On the three occasions he was transferred, the schools losing him protested.
“Also at Ogbemudiem Model Secondary School in Agbor, Ika South LGA where he went to Alihame Mixed Secondary School, another round of protest greeted his transfer.
“What does this signify? It means Ufua was a dedicated and committed teacher. By the grace of God, he has won three awards: a national award and two more in Delta State as best teacher of the year.
Continuing, Ogadi said: “Even when he was in crisis at the hospital, a large crowd of students and ex-students from Ogwashi-Uku stormed the hospital.
“He has trained many professionals including doctors, engineers, lawyers and accountants.
“He was my beloved son in all ramifications of life. He was firm, truthful and dedicated to God, family and work.
“I have not iota of doubt that he is in heaven.”
The principal of Alihame Mixed Secondary School, who declined to disclose his name, spoke to The Nation on the phone, describing the death of a member of his staff as “shocking”.
He said the deceased was a Physics teacher who was dedicated, punctual and committed to his job.
His words: “The news of Ufuas’ death is shocking. I am pained and grief stricken. I have lost a very dear and dedicated teacher.
“We do not know how we are going to fill the vacuum created by his loss. He was extremely well loved by the students despite the fact he was a strict disciplinarian.
“The school has been shut down following the unfortunate incident.”
