Nigerian singer and son of Fella Kuti, Seun Kuti, has called on Nigerians to come together to fight against cultism in the country.
The musician took to his Instagram story to make this request. While calling out people who make cultism and the gangster lifestyle look cool, the singer noted that they “shouldn’t forget that the younger ones are emulating” what they do. He then questioned what Nigerians are doing about cults in the country. He further quizzed “Is this when we decide to rise up against cults all over this country or we just want to do the usual?”
Sean Kuti’s call for action comes in the wake of a mysterious death of a 12 year old boy, Sylvester Oromoni. According to reports, Sylvester Oromoni died from injuries he sustained during an assault by colleagues who wanted to initiate him into cultism. However, authorities of Dowen Collage, the school Sylvester attended, claimed that he died after sustaining an injury during a football match.
Following this, the Lagos State Government on Friday 3rd December, ordered the indefinite closure of the school, pending the outcome of an investigation into the death of Sylvester. seun seun
The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, ordered the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, to take over the investigation of the case immediately.
Over 100,000 Petitioned Signed
Meanwhile, over 100,000 persons have signed two petitions on the Change.org platform, demanding the swift prosecution of all those responsible for the gruesome death of Sylvester Oromoni.
The first petition started by a family member of the deceased, Timi Oromoni, titled, ‘Justice For Sylvester Oromoni Jnr’ has attracted over 65,000 signatures as of 1pm on Sunday 5th December 2021.
The petition partly read, “On Tuesday 30/11/2021, we lost our brother, 12 years old Sylvester Oromoni Jnr. He was taken from us in the most gruesome of manner, beaten by senior five boys in his hostel in Dowen College lekki Lagos State… The students are from influential families and the school is trying to bury the case. Sign and help us find justice for Sylvester Oromoni Jnr. It’s our fight he could be your son, your brother, your cousin. #justiceforsylvester”.
Few hours later, a second petition was also started by The Irede Foundation with the title, ‘We Want Justice For Sylvester’. The petition immediately garnered over 50,000 signatures.
It read in part, “We need the police to act immediately and investigate the circumstances and events that led to his death. We’re asking the Lagos Commissioner for Education, Folashade Adefisayo and officials of the Lagos State Universal Education Board, and the Federal Ministry of Education to probe allegations of bullying and negligence. We’re asking for a thorough and transparent investigation and prosecution of those found to be culpable in this tragic incident”.
Family Celebrates Sylveater’s Posthumous Birthday
Sylvester Oromoni, would have clocked 12 today, December 5, 2021. Owing to this, family members of Sylvester, decided to honour the memory of their dead son by marking his birthday. To eulogize him, birthday cakes were made for the late Sylvester alongside big picture frames.
That notwithstanding, some Nigerians left flowers, balloons, cards, and toys in front of Dowen College gate to mark Sylvester’s 12th birthday.
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