Tears and tributes flowed freely at King’s College, Lagos, on Wednesday as family and friends held a memorial service in honour of Ugochukwu Ozuah, a 36-year-old engineer who was allegedly killed by policemen five days after his wedding.
Ozuah, who graduated from King’s College in 1993, was once the Sports prefect of the school. Some of those present at the event were; members of the King’s College Old Boy’s Association, ex-colleagues of the deceased at University of Ado Ekiti and University of Lagos, where he was pursuing a Master’s degree in Operational Research; as well as the principal and current students of the college.
Ozuah’s Chelsea Football Club jersey, inscribed with the word, ‘Hugo 10’ was seen hanging from the ceiling of the auditorium while many wore a black T-shirt displaying the deceased’s picture.
The three sisters of the deceased, who read tributes, described their brother as a loving and kind person who was always willing to help those in need.
The eldest sister, Nkechi Nnonyelu, said in a written tribute that it was sad because she planned Ozuah’s wedding and just a month later, she was planning his burial.
The wife of the deceased, Joan, said in a written tribute that their five days of marriage were the best days of her life.
Joan said, “Sweets, so it is true that you are no more. I can’t believe that you have gone so soon. You were my husband, my brother, my friend and mentor. I can’t forget that fateful night of September 20, when the police shot you in the chest and left you to die in cold blood. It was like a dream when the doctor told us that you couldn’t make it.
“Baby love, you were a caring, loving, God-fearing, calm and thoughtful man. Your desire was to make me happy when I was sad and you were an awesome husband. The last words you said to me before you left were, ‘my wife, my wife, I’m coming back in 10 minutes’ as you drove off to drop your friend and never returned.
“My husband, you were a real gem, you made me have the wedding of my dream and I’m grateful for those five days we spent together. It was the most exciting moment and days of my life. Sweet, sweet, it is true that death is inevitable but the memories of your personality will definitely live forever. I ask no questions for God knows best. I will miss you. I love you sweet.
The head boy of King’s College, accompanied by other pupils sang the school anthem in honour of the deceased.
It was noted in his biography that apart from being the Sports prefect, the deceased was Harman’s House prefect, a position he was very proud of.
It was learnt that he bragged about how his son would also attend King’s College and also be in Harman House.
Ozuah studied Mechanical Engineering at UNAD and in 2009 proceeded to the Koenig Information Technology Institute, India, where he studied Computer Engineering.
Ozuah was due to write his final examination in Operational Research on Thursday (yesterday)
Representative the UNILAG authorities, Dr. Olusoji George, the Postgraduate Coordinator, Business Administration, said UNILAG condemned the murder of its student allegedly perpetrated by the Nigeria Police.
George described Ozuah as a brilliant student who was very caring, adding that his death was a loss to the department because of the dearth of personnel in that particular field of study.
“Who in PG did not like him? For his colleagues to turn up for this event when there is final and compulsory exam tomorrow shows the kind of person he was,” he added.
One of the four Vice-Presidents of the King’s College Old Boys’ Association, Mr. Rotimi Aladesanmi, also berated the police and urged the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to take the case seriously.
“Whether it was policemen or people in uniform that did it, we don’t care. All we want is for the IG to fish out the killers of this Nigerian because I say enough is enough,” he said.
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