How Sule, First Class Graduate Was Killed In Anambra On Way To NYSC Camp; His Last Words

By Adesina Soyooye

The insecurity in the country couldn’t have been more wicked. Gunmen, fearlessly parading with, and flaunting their weapons of mass killing, two days ago snuffed the life out of a fertile brilliant mind.

The end for Sule Mathew, a fresh First Class Graduate of the Bayero University, Kano, BUK, couldn’t have been more heartbreaking.

Mathew, in his early 20’s, was on his way to Anambra State to participate in the mandatory National Youth Service.  He was looking forward to it in a country where acute unemployment is the norm. The paltry N30,000 given to Corpers monthly is, at least, a consolation. But he was not even allowed to enjoy that.

Travelling in a private vehicle, along with others and his boss where he was an intern, they had arrived Anambra State. As they got to Ekwulobia, the God-cursed, blood-sucking devils struck, and killed everybody in the vehicle, except the driver who miraculously escaped. Mathew was wasted.

Mathew’s school mates cannot hold back their flood of tears. For his family, it is a nightmare.

Silas Manager, Mathew’s coursemate at the Mass Communication Department  of BUK, was quoted as saying:

“Mathew was among the first set of students to intern with PRNigeria Centre in Kano in 2019. He lost his father in June, few months to his final examination, and graduated as the overall best student of our Department in August 2021 and was due to enrol for mandatory NYSC programme next week.”

Another friend of his, who was his room mate in school,  Gambo Ibrahim, said of Mathew:

”He was on a six-month non-residential fellowship program that trains, and mentors young citizen activists to push for democratic reforms – Gidan Yanci. He was on his way to Anambra from Abuja when the gunmen attacked their vehicle”

A devastated Jemila, his sister revealed how the family knew of Mathew’s fate. He was traced to a mortuary.

She said: “Mathew traveled with his boss on that ill-fated day along with other passengers including the driver in a private vehicle.

“After waylaying them, the gunmen opened fire on them killing all of them except the driver who escaped.

:So, when we couldn’t reach him and heard of the incident, we sent Sule’s picture to the mortuary to confirm if he was among those killed and we got feedback that he was identified among those killed,”

He was active on Social Media. In 2021, when he was through with his final examination, he posted:

”So what has really changed after 4 years? 4 years ago, I made a decision to leave everything including my Distinction result in HND 1 to Pursue a University degree. Today, I am graduating, Let’s look at what has really changed in the past 4years.

“Before I dive into the tales of “my transitions ” I want to sincerely extend my appreciation to God and to everyone who have been part of my academic journey – My Parents, Uncle Joe, Aunty Omaye… the list is endless.

“My lecturers who opened the doors of their offices and of their hearts to share in my personal stories of losses and gains.

“My friends who made me feel too well at home even though I traveled closely 800KM away from my home, you made BUK “HOME away from HOME” for me.

“Thank you Google – for your many products and services.

“SO WHAT HAS REALLY CHANGED

1. My understanding of the world: I was born and raised in a village of less than 70 houses at a time and my life, until 2015, had revolved around only 3 major towns in Kogi state. This singular most overlooked experience shaped my understanding of the world and my interactions with same.

“However, my exposure to people, places and circumstances fairly different from what I was familiar with, has reshaped my understanding of the world around me – By learning, unlearning and relearning the core values of the varying cultures with which I interacted.

Some of the very funny, very basic and more valuable part of my learnings are; I have learnt to correct my pronunciations of English words, delimitate my strong mother’s tongue interference, learn basics of other languages, learn new foods and practice some new ways of life.

“Professionally, I have been trained through my well structured course to a remarkable level of proficiency in information technology, media and communication sciences (majoring on the new media) – thanks to my inspiring Head of Department- Dr. Nura Ibrahim and all the highly committed staff members of the department of information and Media Studies and the entire faculty of communication-Bayero University, Kano.

“Combining my class work with some out-of-class training has helped me to personally advance my technical skills and have strengthened my flare for technological innovations. I am now experienced in UI/UX design.

“My strong engagements in extracurricular activities have modeled me in the path of projects managements. Please hire me.

“While pursuing good grades and wanting to gain life saving experiences, I am happy that I didn’t sacrifice the place of building a great network- my friends are my greatest assets.

“My greatest joy lies in those that could count me as being part of their academic success. I sincerely regret those times I couldn’t reach out to those that needed my help.

“My best moments as an undergraduate student were at the reception of my first scholarship, my certificate of recognition from my VC- Prof. Yahuza Bello, the Honorable mention award from Facebook (with my team at heartUmight) and my finalist award at enactus National competition (2019 with my team)

“The saddest part of my story is returning home and meeting my father no more. Rest In Peace father.”

Sadly, Nigeria has wasted this brain.