Beheading of Teacher Oyedokun A Public Execution of National Conscience – Ejiofor 

By Chukwudi Ebele 

Human Right Lawyer and Social Critic Sir Ifeanyichukwu Ejiofor Esq has condemned in its entirety the beheading of Teacher Michael Oyedokun by terrorists indicting Government for not doing enough to secure her citizens.

Ejiofor in his recent article titled ‘HOW NIGERIA FAILED MR. MICHAEL OYEDOKUN:A NATION THAT ABANDONS ITS TEACHERS HAS BEGUN TO DIG ITS OWN GRAVE

THE BEHEADING OF AN EDUCATOR IN OYO STATE — A NATIONAL TRAGEDY AND A DAMNING INDICTMENT ON GOVERNMENTAL FAILURE’ after sympathizing with the family of the victim called on security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous atrocity were apprehended and prosecuted without delay.

“There are moments in the life of a nation when silence becomes complicity, when indifference assumes the colouration of wickedness, and when the blood of the innocent cries louder than the speeches of politicians. The gruesome murder of Mr. Michael Oyedokun , a school teacher at Community high school, Esiele , Oriile LGA , Oyo State , is one of such dark and unforgettable moments in the tragic history of our country.

“Her name is Chiadikaobi- the youngest princess of the Ejiofor Dynasty and my youngest child. During our routine family conversations, moments in which we discuss academics, school activities, relationships with teachers and the broader values of life, Chiadikaobi — who is remarkably outspoken and once proudly informed us that she is “intelligently unique in her own way” passionately narrated to us the exceptional relationship she enjoys with her teachers.

“She spoke glowingly about their devotion to duty, the ease with which they impart knowledge, their patience, discipline, and the noble manner in which they mould character and inspire excellence in young minds. At the conclusion of such conversations, our little princess would usually present a long catalogue of her future aspirations and priorities, the persons she intends to care for and reward when she eventually grows into adulthood. Unsurprisingly, at the very summit of that list are her parents, followed by her siblings, and astonishingly, her teachers.

“Chiadikaobi holds her teachers in profound reverence. To her innocent mind, they are architects of greatness and custodians of destiny. She constantly speaks of her desire to one day reward them generously for their sacrifices and selfless service to humanity.

“What we have deliberately shielded her from, however, is the painful and brutal reality that these same teachers whom she so deeply reveres are among the most neglected, humiliated, impoverished and dehumanised citizens within the hierarchy of governmental priorities in Nigeria. Successive administrations, both at the Federal and State levels, have consistently abandoned the teaching profession to misery, indignity and institutional neglect.

“Mr. Michael Oyedokun, a devoted Maths teacher  at Community high school, Esiele , Oriile LGA , Oyo State, , was abducted by bloodthirsty jihadist terrorists and subsequently beheaded in cold blood.

“Mr. Oyedokun was not abducted from a battlefield. He was not kidnapped while engaging in criminality. He was not seized in a political arena. His only “crime” was the noble and honourable decision to be present in school, at the appropriate time, carrying out his statutory obligation of teaching, mentoring and shaping the lives of innocent children entrusted to his care.

That singular act of service to humanity cost him his life.

Even more horrifying is the fact that several innocent students were equally abducted and, as at this moment, continue to endure unimaginable torment, psychological trauma and dehumanising captivity, all to pressure the Government into the payment of ransom and concessions to terrorists who now operate with frightening audacity across our land.

“What greater tragedy can befall a nation than when its schools become slaughter grounds, its classrooms become theatres of terror, and its educators become bargaining chips in the hands of murderous extremists?

“Teachers are not merely salary earners. They are nation builders, custodians of civilisation, moulders of conscience, and silent architects of every profession known to mankind. Every Judge, Lawyer, Doctor, Professor, Engineer, Governor and President once sat before a teacher. Yet, paradoxically, those upon whose shoulders society rests are treated with shocking contempt, miserable remuneration and institutional abandonment.

“The murder of Mr. Oyedokun  is therefore not merely the death of a teacher; it is the public execution of national conscience. It is a terrifying symbol of how far insecurity, governmental inertia and institutional decay have devastated the moral foundations of our nation.

“Even more disturbing is the frightening possibility that, in the years ahead, some of these same terrorists may eventually be absorbed back into society under certain rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, while the memory of the innocent educator they butchered fades into governmental archives and forgotten headlines.

“What a cruel irony.

“The blood of Mr. Oyedokun cries out for justice.

“I profoundly sympathise with the entire community of teachers across Nigeria, the immediate family of Mr. Michael Oyedokun, the students traumatised by this horrifying incident, and every innocent soul affected by this barbaric act of terror.

“I call upon the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Oyo State Government, all security agencies, and every institution saddled with the preservation of law and order, to take every lawful and necessary step to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous atrocity are apprehended and prosecuted without delay.

“Every individual connected to this evil conspiracy, no matter how highly placed, politically protected or institutionally shielded, must equally be identified and brought to justice.

“A nation that fails to honour and protect its teachers is merely preparing the funeral of its own civilisation.

“May the soul of Mr. Michael Oyedokun  find eternal rest before his Creator, and may his noble service to humanity never go unrewarded, even in Heaven,” said Ejiofor.