NYSC Boss Eulogises Slain Corps Member

The Director-General of National Youth Service Corp  (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Maharazu Tsiga, has paid  tributes to the memory of the late Obinna Okpokiri, who was killed in the post-election violence in Bauchi in April.

Tsiga said  during the burial of Okpokiri in Emede Ibeku village in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia that the deceased was a hero of democracy.

“Here lies a true and great hero, a hero of democracy of immeasurable proportion gripped by the cold hands of death and wasted while serving to bring real democracy,’’ he said.

Tsiga, who was represented by Mr Emmanuel Obi, the South-East Coordinator of NYSC, said while the nation mourned the fallen heroes, their deaths should not be in vain.

“I, therefore, urge relevant authorities to fish out the masterminds of this heinous act, this carnage must stop,” he said.

Okpokiri, 27, who obtained  B Sc in Estate/Environmental Management from Abia State University, Uturu, was among the corps members killed in Bauchi in the violence.

He had proceeded to the United Kingdom for a master’s degree and returned to participate in NYSC in 2010.

Governor Theodore Orji said at the funeral service at  Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia that Okpokiri returned to serve because of his love for the fatherland.

“It was a monumental tragedy, he was on the line of duty when he met the rioters that assailed him.

”They were in Bauchi to serve the country because they believed in the unity of Nigeria,” the governor said.

In a vote of thanks, Mr Allan Okpokiri, the uncle of the deceased, said that the personalities present at the funeral had consoled the family.

“I will tell you that the family is comforted because Obinna did not die in vain,” Opkokiri said.