Monday, March 23, 2009

Oluwatoyin Chrstiana OLUWASESIN.


It was in Gombe state, Nigeria, 2 years ago, she was doing her job…. when she met her death.

'Toyin was a teacher at the Government day secondary school, Gandu.

On March 21 morning, she resumed for work as usual, it was during the examinations period, she was invigilating a class, we learn t she distributed the question papers and announced the commencement of the paper.

A few minutes into the session she observed that Fatsuma a female student was copying answers from a book concealed in a newspaper. Confiscating the newspapers and its hidden contents she dumped the lot on the teacher’s desk and some slips of paper containing Arabic writings floated to the floor. They were later confirmed to be pages of the Hadith and Koran, as soon as 'Toyin did this, the female student stood up began to scream Allahu Ahkbar! Allahu Ahkbar! The cheating female ran out of the classroom as the others joined her in the chant. The whole school was thrown into confusion.

When' Toyin saw that the female student had raised a false alarm, she decided to report the incident to the school principal Mallam Sadiq Mohammed.

Her husband said she also called him and told him about the chaos in the school. He in turn alerted a friend in the Gombe metropolis and the family friend promptly turned up in the school premises with uniformed police men but was rebuffed by the principal who said everything was under control.

As soon as the policemen retired, the Muslim students mobilized a huge crowd and demanded that 'Toyin be released to them by the principal, when threatened that his office would be burnt the Principal came out with 'Toyin in tow to face the mob. The Principal was helpless when the students seized her.

We learnt she was tied up, striped naked , beaten up and then a boy slit her throat with a knife, while this was going on, some other students went to burn her car, they brought the spare tire of her car, put it around her and set her ablaze.

After this, they also tried to kill her 10 month old baby, but thank God for a brave woman that agreed to sneak the baby out under her cloth.

It was also more saddening to hear that she had tendered her resignation and the 21st of March (the day she was brutally murdered) was to be her last day at the school. Her husband had secured a job appointment at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta of Ogun State. Her husband was to pick her from Gandu in the last week of March.

I came across a ministry that are involved in seeing that justice is done concerning the deceased and her family, they have been fighting, praying, meeting and going lengths.... The details of her gruesome murder is here

I remember 'Toyin…….,we served (our 1 year National youth Service Corps program me, NYSC) together, we were in the Nigerian Christian Coppers Fellowship (NCCF) together.

'Aunty' we fondly called her, (she was the Assistant Secretary General of the NCCF, Lagos branch). I remember her agility… she was always up and doing and was very firm.

I remember the last time I was opportune to see her, she was gaily dressed (on her way from a function), we were at an alumni meeting, she was explaining she was now at Gombe state, (her husband had been transferred to work there). We all were discussing ideas of jobs she could do there, business opportunities in Gombe state etc......I didn’t know that was the last time we would see on this side of eternity.

Her death really troubled me and every time I remember how she was wasted I shudder.

I am not sure if the real perpetrators have been brought to book, or if her family has been given an official apology or if her children would see evidences that our nation was genuinely concerned and is sorry for the unfortunate incident that happened to their mother.

I am not sure if anything as been done to sanitize the society and children especially of the value of human lives and how it can never be right or justifiable to take another person's life in the name of religion.

I pray her death will not be 'for nothing', I pray her children will grow up and live in;

- A country where a lot of value is placed on a human being's life.
- A country were the barbaric and senseless killings of people in the name of religion would cease.
- A country where people respect the rule of law and where the law prevails

- A country that has laws that protect the right of an individual to life.

- A country where they could freely choose to live anywhere, walk anywhere freely and freely make friends without fear of being prejudiced, segregated, ostracised or even mobbed


I spoke with her husband not too long ago, (they are holding up fine he said), the family launched a foundation in her memory. Her children are doing very well.

We take consolation in the fact we believe Oluwatoyin has gone to better place, where she is watching, smiling, resting and waiting.

Oluwatoyin, we believe you lived for a cause, Good bye till we meet again at the side of our Lord Jesus!

Adieu!



NB: A lot was written and said about her death like here, and here

38 comments:

chichi said...

o my goodness.this is so sad and shocking. i am truly speechless that something like this could happen.

I pray God will support her family and friends at this time.
hope u holding up alright.

Anonymous said...

Awww... heard about it at the time...... I can only agree with your prayer, that her death be not in vain...

Remi, United Kingdom said...

I pray God continues to strengthen her family... Sometimes to see the evil work of men unfold is dumbfounding!

Anonymous said...

Amen and amen to the prayers that have been offered up. I hadn't heard of this and all I can say is that is it really sad that human life would be so devalued by some.

I pray she's resting in peace and also like others that her death not be in vain.

This is yet another reminder to us to live each day to the fullest because we don't know how many years we have here on earth.

Writefreak said...

Oh gosh! this is so sad!

I hope someday things like these are a thing of the past in our country!

Dayo Nigeria said...

Its just pathetic that we just hear about all these barbaric acts, but the perpetrators are never brought to book which makes some other people see such as nothing. I am sure that a revival is imminent in the land where God Himself will give an immediate judgment.
May Her Soul continue to rest in the bossom of our almighty God, and in her honour, I believe that many of us should just do whatever we can to ensure that such crazy acts become a thing of the past.

Enkay said...

Somehow, I find anger brimming in my heart at such a barbaric act committed in this country merely 2 years ago!

Why was there no public outcry?
Why wasn't there any inquest conducted?
Why was there no investigation?
Why did the Christian community in Gombe keep quiet?
Why did the state government turn a blind eye to the incident?
Why was there no riot?
Why, why, why?!

This is so sad!

Anonymous said...

Olufunke
To say that I'm shocked is a gross understatement...I an absolutely gobsmacked! I don't even know what to say, except Amen to ur's and Writefreak's prayers.
Here's wishing her family continued peace and joy as well.

Geebee said...

It was popular news back then in 2007. I remember the story vivdly well and hearing it again sends a shudder down my spine. Wao, it’s been two years already. Hmmm, the evil things that go on in this country all in the name of religion, politics and the likes. . . and to hear that justice has still not been carried out. It hurts. May God help us. I’ll continue to pray for those Toyin left behind. I can imagine your pain, being that you knew her personally. Accept my condolences. It’s well.

Jay said...

oh my god!!!!!!!!!! this is so sad. Why are these people not being punished?...they are not above the law.

I am so sad...this is so sad. May she rest in peace.

bumight said...

i never heard about this, but its still saddening. i can imagine how u feel since u knew her personally.

then we wonder why people are afraid to go to the north! May her soul rest in peace.

aloted said...

gosh Funke, i was too shocked when i heard from Papa about Aunty...as in i was like which kain world be this...

so sad and i also pray those prayers along with u...

cant say much

Lady A said...

Wow, so sad, but the good thing is that they are having a foundation in memory of her. Sound like her hubby and children are strong. It just goes to show we need to live life each day like it's our last.

Kémi Penélopê said...

Even when you don’t know her personally, you still feel grief for the horrible way that dead decided to snatch her from her loved ones. And to think that some women watched as she was humiliated then killed makes this story even heartbreaking.

It’s just moments like this that you find bitterness crawling into our hearts towards those who have inflicted such pain but we’ll never give them the pleasure of that because what her family will always have is the peace of God that pass every understanding…

*Oluwatoyin Chrstiana OLUWASESIN, we remember you…Beautiful Angel of God!!!

**Olufunke, thanks for posting…I’ll try to reply your email before Friday, please…

Olufunke said...

@Chichi: I join in saying Amen too. I'm OK, her family needs our continuous prayers.

@JDB: Thanks, we pray her death would not be in vain

@Remi: I say Amen, I also wonder how the evil works of men go so far...........I really wonder.....

@GNG: yea..I agree with you, praying her death would not be in vain, and we should leave her lives always conscious of 'the end'

@Writefreak: I say Amen, that things like this would be a thing of the past in our country

@Adebayo Adeniyi: I join my faith with you, that a revival would happen in our country soon, and you are right we should do all we can in our own little corners to see that things like this do not happen again.

@Enkay: My dear, I feel your pains too, I feel the rage that could build up, but we are learning to let God. Its really, really saddening.

@Justdoyin: I was shocked to see the extent people would go to go show their hate, disgust and intolerance for another person's beliefs. It was really uncalled for. I say Amen to the prayers for the family.

@Geebee: Thanks, we believe it is well, It is very surprising that things like these are allowed to go on in our country, countless people are still killed every now and then in the name of religion. We pray this would stop soon.

@Word Merchant: why have these people not been punished? we've been asking these unanswered questions. Really, really sad.

@Bumight: It is really saddening.Lol.....@ they slice their teacher's throats

@Aloted: Yes o, Aunty's death came as a rude shock to me too. We take consolation in the fact that we believe she is in a better place.

@ LAdy A: I believe the family has been strong, and yes! you are right, we need to continually live with a consciousness of eternity in our hearts

@Kemi Penelope: WE would just try not to let bitterness and rage overtake the peace of God in our lives just like you said. Thanks.
Expecting your mail.

Miss Opeke said...

Gosh! This is just so sad...It is stories like this that just bring me to tears...

Brown Sugar said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Brown Sugar said...

OMG! that's a terrible thing that happened. I came across your blog by pure accident, but now reading this story, makes me think it wasn't by accident.In a way God wanted this story to be read. I'm very sorry for your loss, and I also pray that her family finds the heart to bear with their loss. As for those students, their own will come on judgement day.

God bless

The Activist said...

I knew her story and it was a painful one.

May her soul continue to rest in peace and my her assailants be brought to book.

I just dont understand our desire in religion fundamentalism. Our need to fight for God in devilious ways. So many things are wrong with so many people...

LG said...

hmm' may God save us 4rm our selves

tobenna said...

Sweet mother of God, was this what really happened?
And no one was brought to book?
I can only hope that her family finds closure to this.

Olufunke said...

@Miss Iyabo Opeke: It's really sad, really really. Thanks.

@Brown Sugar: My dear, nothing happens by accident, I say Amen too o that God carries her family through this trying periods!thanks for stopping by, I've been to yours too.

@Stand tall the activist: It beats me too, how people can behave so 'demonic' in the name of 'fighting for God' who created these same lives!
thanks

@LG: I say Amen! Amen! Amen and Amen!

@Tobenna: That is what really happened oh, well....I pray with you that her family really finds a closure to this

Afronuts said...

I read this tragic story way back then. Its shocking to discover someone that actually knew her in person. I can imagine what its like to loose a friend in such a tragic manner

But its also shocking that this was perpetuated by kids in school. The 'Jihad' mentality of wanton violence is uncalled for and shows children are being dangerously indoctrinated into it.

May her soul continue to rest in peace...


PS: Check my page. You've been awarded and tagged

http://thekushchronicles.blogspot.com/2009/04/aaarrggh-parakeet-tagged-me.html

Vera Ezimora said...

Oh, my God. This is horrible!!! I don't even want to imagine what that woman went through before she died. Oh, my God. I'm so speechless.

Unknown said...

such a sad incident..... Thanks for stopping by my blog.

The Activist said...

You r welcome

poeticallytinted said...

This is so terrible. It sends cold shudders down my spine. Especially since it happened only 2years ago! makes me wonder what kind of future this country has if our young ones have been so brainwashed into thinking like this.

Anonymous said...

Olufunke...I've just awarded you...HSA...do the 10 honest things meme...

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Hmm....may God arise and let His enemies be scattered and let the righteous be glad

Spesh said...

The brutality of man has found shade under religion.
It is HE we hope would make us understand better.
Amen to your prayers.

Unknown said...

Oh my ..............

Johnny said...

Your article is very extensive. It reads like a first hand account. I appreciate it how your presented it. You've done a great service to her memory and the Lord. More people should read her story. Thank you so much for doing what you did. I too pray to God these barbaric acts stop in the name of religion.

God bless you,

JFS

Omo Oba said...

...and u knew her personally. I am still in shock. and these were children in secondary school that did these to her? rabid fanatics! Goodness, this is not the time to abuse but honestly, this is practically senseless. how dare they? really, the entire school including the princi needs to be tried for murder. Olutwatoyin Oluwasesin, may your soul rest in peace. The good Lord will fight your battles for you, on earth and in heaven. sun re.

Joy Isi Bewaji said...

hiya! do visit:
jollykids-isi.blogspot.com
cheers!

Anonymous said...

I have never heard of this event. it is SAD and SHOCKING! I am not sure if I am alone in this, but I always wonder about the other person,. that girl that got a human being killed because she wanted to cheat on an exam and that boy that killed a human being just out of a mob mentality. he did NOT know what had occured and probably did not try to find out. I wonder if their lives hav been impacted by Toyin's. I hope so and I hope Toyins family are well and blessed!

prashant said...

Sometimes to see the evil work of men unfold is dumbfounding!
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Oluwunmi said...

The opening of the United States Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, states as follows:



We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.


I beleif irrespective of religious belief the Government should first and foremost, Secure the life and liberty of Every Man...


tis quite sad, that these fanatics took a life they cannot give based on a little girls opinion.

I feel like replaying Hiroshima the Atomic Bombing of Hirosima and Nagasaki in that Environ, but no I'll let justice prevail.