AN AVOIDABLE OUTCOME: THE TRAGIC END OF A FATHER IN THE HANDS OF 'HIS CHILD' (A REFLECTION ON CHIDINMA & ATAGA'S LOVE DEBACLE)

 MEDICINE AFTER DEATH: THE FINAL PILL FOR INIOBONG UMOREN (A REFLECTIVE OPINION)

How time flies! they often say, as we often hope and wish that the memories of past events that flashes through our mind should be of something good and not what will tear our heart in sorrow. Well, sadly, the good, the bad and the ugly happen to humanity and then all these becomes memories.

 It was exactly a month ago, a young pretty Akwa Ibom lady, Iniobong Umoren filled with hope and aspiration tweeted at 2:24pm via her twitter handle, pleading for job and sincerely hoping she'll get one soonest from just one person amongst millions of Nigerians on the social media platform, before she would proceed for her NYSC program. Alas! the only person who was 'willing' to give her a job at the time was actually willing to take her life and blot her out from this world. Successfully, the young man Uduak Akpan who showed interest to give her a job on the media platform took away her life and killed all her dreams on the 29th of April.

Following the arrest of Akpan few days later, people have since been calling for justice to be served accordingly. Things were moving towards that direction as the serial killer confessed to other crimes prior to the last one he carried out, raping and killing Ini and burying her in a shallow grave which led to his arrest and Nigerians in one voice on social media platforms and in the streets of Uyo demanded he produce the names of the top politicians he is working with in selling human body parts either for ritual purpose or harvesting their organs for sale so that all of them will get the judgement they deserve for their dastardly acts. Well, that has proven quite impossible, at least, for now. The main issue of concern however has been the events following the death and proper burial of Iniobong Umoren which is something I have reflected on and decided to share.

On the 8th of May, Akwa Ibom born millionaire and business tycoon (Chief Executive Officer of Desicon Engineering Limited) Mr. Akanimo Udofia paid a condolence visit to Ini's family, of which he met Ini's older sister and some of her relatives.

   Mr Akanimo Udofia (middle) during condolence visit to Iniobong Umoren's home

He expressed his sadness (as anyone would do) towards the tragic loss of Iniobong and pledged to partner with security agencies to ensure that justice is served. As a way of empathizing with the family, he offered employment to Miss Ubong Umoren, Ini's elder sister in his company at Port Harcourt branch with immediate effect.

    Ubong Umoren (middle) flanked by some family relatives during Mr. Udofia's visit.

   Condolence words from Mr. Udofia to tearful Miss Ubong Umoren (Ini's Sister)

        Assurance of job offer with immediate effect

  

    Now, here is the thing. While many might be of the opinion that Mr. Udofia has done well to offer Ini's sister a job in his company, I simply ask myself if he would have done the same to her or Iniobong herself if she were to be alive and had naturally walked into the company seeking for employment there. The honest truth is, most of the wealthy and influential people in the society turn their ears away from the daily cries of young people seeking for help either directly from them or on social media. Several times, I scroll through my twitter page and see people seeking for help either for treatment of a terminal disease that require urgent operation, they even tag the twitter/Instagram handle of these personalities hoping to get response but most times, they act as though they didn't see the notification; or some others seeking for job opportunities just as Iniobong peacefully did on the 27th of April but they act unconcerned.

Anyway, Mr. Udofia kept his promise. Few days after the burial of Iniobong and following a trash police parade cum public interview of Uduak Akpan about how he killed her, Miss Ubong Umoren got her job offer - indeed, you can call it a blessing in disguise, as the death of her 26yr old younger sister has brought favour upon her.

  Miss Ubong Umoren at Desicon Engineering Limited, Port Harcourt branch, alongside his older brother Mr. Ukeme Umoren

 

    While so many connection has been drawn by some investigative journalists linking Uduak Akpan to top political personalities within Uyo and its environ, some people on social media platforms have been of the opinion that the job offer by Mr. Udofia was not only to compensate the family for the loss of Iniobong but also to make the case gradually fade away from the public. After all, it will be said that if she couldn't get the job while she was alive, at least, her sister got a job and will take care of the family - which would have been one of her dreams. It is quite sad, as this is the only pill of relief Iniobong's soul can get at this point. If the Nigerian system were to be functional and unemployment at a reduced rate, what Ini experienced might not have happened in the first place. Hence, the 'honour' she gets now (especially through her sister's job offer) is only but a medicine after death. There is one more thing that would make the peaceful soul of Iniobong Umoren find rest and that is for her killer and all those who might be connected to her death directly or indirectly face the wrath of the law deservedly rather than have this case swept under the carpet and gradually forgotten. Not much is said about it again on media platforms; the daily echoes of #justiceForHinyUmoren is gradually fading away same way as the clamour for justice for the Lekki Toll gate massacre during the EndSars protest has faded away. Until Uduak receives judgement for his actions, we might hear little or nothing again about this case. May God always comfort Iniobong's family and her friends. Amen!

@ Oladotun John

       27-05-2021 

         

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