Late Dowen College student, Sylvester Oromoni finally buried

Tears flowed yesterday as 12-year-old Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, a student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State, allegedly tortured by some senior students of the college which resulted in his death, was laid to rest at his family’s compound in Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South West Local Council of Delta State.

He was buried after two years of his death as his parents insisted on getting justice for him.

Born on December 4, 2009, he died on November 30, 2021, in controversial circumstances. It was alleged that he was tortured by some senior students of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State, who wanted to initiate him into a cult group.

His death generated condemnation and a series of protests by civil society groups against the alleged delay of the Lagos State government in taking justice to those allegedly behind his death.

His burial attracted several dignitaries from far and near, which included human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).

In his brief remarks, Falana eulogised the late Sylvester as a great Nigerian whose life was cut short.

He said: “We are here to celebrate a great Nigerian whose life was cut short. His short life was so eventful according to his biography that was just read to us now. The short life of Solomon cannot be compared with that of Methuselah. Sylvester touched the lives of his teachers, friends, fellow students and we should remind and ask ourselves what we would be remembered for after this life. We must try as much as possible to rededicate our lives to God Almighty. I must thank the parents of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr for standing and demanding justice for their son.”

Ven. Goodluck Bayagbon of God’s Grace Ministry, Warri, in a homily titled ‘Forever with the Lord’, implored Christians to live a life worthy of emulation and strive to be heavenly candidates.

While describing the deceased as a true believer in Christ, the cleric said: “Sylvester Oromoni Jnr has gone to rest with the Lord and free from all evil and calamity of the world. We are not here to weep and mourn over Sylvester but to celebrate a great man, a young man that God Almighty loves so much. Sylvester left an indelible mark in the hearts of all men that must be emulated.

“Sylvester should be emulated according to his brief biography read to us all. He was a good young boy, who cared so much about his fellow students, friends, sisters, brothers and all those who crossed his path. He was diligent and was a devout Christian. At his young age, he cared for the needs of his fellow students; he was so good both at school and home.

“Though he left very young, he has achieved the purpose of God who created him. We are here to celebrate him not to mourn. At his age, look at the mammoth crowd that came to bid him farewell to heaven.”