Democratic Socialist Movement

For Struggle, Solidarity and Socialism in Nigeria

By - DSM

LASU STUDENTS REMEMBER COMRADE OMOMEEWA TWO YEARS AFTER

We continue to cry for Justice! 

The Education Student Association of Nigeria Lagos State University chapter (ESAN-LASU) had a memorial event on Friday August 18 in honour of the late Comrade Yusuf Nurudeen Alowonle Omomeewa. A prominent student activist and Socialist, comrade Omomeema was brutally murdered by yet to be apprehended persons two years ago on August 18, 2021 at the gate of the Lagos State University (LASU).  

By ERC reporters 

Omomewa speaking at an ERC meeting

Until his death, Omomeewa was a member of the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) and the Lagos State coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC). He was also an active member of the Education Student Association of Nigeria Lagos State University chapter (ESAN-LASU). 

Two years after his murder, nothing has been heard from the Police with regards to the investigation they claimed they were conducting into his murder. Also nothing has been heard from the visitation panel set up by the Lagos State Governor, Governor Sanwo-olu, to look into the crisis rocking the University and to which Omomeewa’s family, comrades and colleagues submitted memorandum seeking justice.  

Sodiq Duro’Orike, ERC Lagos Coordinator, speaking at this event

Omomeewa’s death is closely linked to the brutal culture of victimization of radical students and staff union activists perfected under various vicious Vice Chancellors in LASU especially that of Prof. Lanre Fagbohun and those who succeeded him. Omomeewa was hounded to death by the malicious authorities of the Lagos State University (LASU) using the University security unit and the Department of State Services (DSS) to rope him into a false admission racketeering case, for his opposition to anti-student policies and campaign against attacks on public education.  

A cross section of the audience

Before Omomeewa’s brutal murder, at least five (5) leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-LASU) had been sacked from the University for openly challenging the anti-worker policies of the then Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun. As a leading student activist and ERC member, Omomeewa condemned the victimization and was visible in the campaign for their recall. Several years after, not only have they remained sacked but the white paper of the visitation panel meant to look into their case remains unreleased over one year after. This is concrete evidence that the Lagos State government is not interested in justice and industrial harmony in the institution.  

The two year memorial event was graced by many past and present students of the university numbering about 100 students. This shows that despite death, comrade Omomeewa activities on the campus still inspire the generations of students of Lagos state university coming after him.

Some of the students at the Memorial event

 

We sold  17 copies of the Socialist Democracy (SD) – paper of the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) and encouraged students to join the organization that Omomeewa helped to build on that campus, which is the Education Rights Campaign (ERC).  We also explained the objectives of the organization to students. We hope to see new members join the ERC-LASU branch going forward.