Clarion call for justice in the murder of Vera Omozuwa

Dear editor,

THE Southern Africa Student and Youth Development Association (SASYDA Zambia) Block joins other student bodies across the continent in conveying our deepest sympathy on the unexpected loss of Ms. Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, 22 who was murdered in cold blood under unclear circumstances.

What a terrible shock it must be to the students population at the University of Benin, Ado State, Nigeria and her family.

We condemn this barbaric act in the strongest terms and contempt it deserves as we join the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in calling upon the authorities in Nigeria to institute immediate investigations into this gruesome murder.

Life must be respected regardless and these injustices mostly against our female folks must be brought to a stop. We pledge our full solidarity and support to every institution and our main students Union AASU in ensuring just prevails. We shall monitor closely the events as they unfold in so far as the investigations are concerned.

Not too long ago we witnessed in Zambia the conclusion of the investigations and subsequent compensation of the family of the late Vespers Shimuzhila, 4th year Student in school of Education who died of suffocation after a student’s protest in 2018. AASU and many Students bodies supported fellow Zambian students in ensuring this matter was thoroughly investigated and logically concluded.

We therefore wish to pledge our full support to fellow students in reciprocating the same gesture of solidarity you all gave to Zambia through this noble Association and the Zambia National Student’s Union (ZANASU) to ensure justice prevails in the case of Vera.

This also is a wake up call to most of our institutions to prioritize the issue of security and safety of students to avoid these increasing cases of murder in our schools.

Our thoughts and prayers will be with our departed colleague’s lovely family. In Friendship and Sorrow, Mabvuto Mubanga Tembo Secretary General