This page is
in loving memory of our fellow Jossites, who died on 20th May, 2014 when
terrorists struck. As I sit down here to write this, my heart is heavier than I
can ever can ever remember. The school
management had declared today Friday, 23th May, 2014 as a lecture free day to
honour those students we lost in the blasts. As a fellow Jossite and a Nigerian,
I mourn our lost and the contribution you all would have made to your nation
and world at large.
Tuesday 20th
May, 2014 was a sad day for our country and to the University of Jos community
when two bombs exploded in terminus killing over 118 lives and injuring scores
of others. Sadly, we lost 15 of our very
own to the blast while others sustained various degrees of injuries. Seven of
them were final year students of Medical laboratory science. They are Michael
Ogbole, Francisca Nwafor, Lydia komolafe Dalapo, Milly Yusuf, Doris Gesumen,
Vivian Chiamaka and Wungat. This is a great lost to Jossites and the nation in
general.
Elegy is a
sad lament. It’s a mournful, melancholic or plaintive poem or a lament for the
dead. I never had chance to meet any of these fellow Jossites. But the pain or
death of any Jossite is of great concern to all Jossites because of our strong
brotherhood and oneness. If death were something we could get used to, we
should have. But alas no! Especially not in the manner and circumstances that
led to the death of this great Jossites.
Throughout
history, and across all religions, questions have been asked on why calamities
are non-discriminatory; and why is it that sometimes good people suffer. And we
all know that apparently good people are not spared of grief and calamity. We’ve
lost good men and women who were at the prime of the youth and full dreams for
a better and possible tomorrow. They were victims of circumstance. This is a
calamity that could’ve happened to anyone.
I fear for
my nation and generation. Our nation is fallen apart before our very eyes. Our
leaders have failed us— playing politics with human lives and failing to
protect the lives of its citizens. I call us all with a big voice to come
together regardless of our religion or tribe to champion a new phase for this
nation. Because we are the hope and future of this country and we cannot afford
to wait or fail. The future started
yesterday, we must act before it’s too late.
This a great
lost to their families, immediate colleagues, friends, relations, Jossites, and
the whole nation. May God curse and destroy those behind this evil acts. We
pray that may this be the last of such attacks not only in Jos, but the nation
at large. Your deaths shall never be in vain. May God give us all the fortitude
to bear this great lost. We love and miss you all. Adieu to out lost Jossites.
Muntasir is
300L level Law student of University of Jos 
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