A Yoruba cultural advocate and Lead of Abinibi Hub, Bunmi Adetona, has appealed to Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde, to immortalise the late Michael Oyedokun, one of the teachers killed during the May 15 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area, by naming a secondary school after him.
Adetona made the appeal in a statement issued on Sunday, amid renewed calls by Oyedokun’s family for the recovery of his remains, nearly two months after he was killed during the abduction of pupils and teachers.
He urged the state government and relevant authorities to honour the slain Mathematics teacher’s sacrifice by naming a school in his memory.
“I respectfully appeal to the Oyo State Government and all relevant authorities to honour his memory by naming a secondary school: Michael Oyedokun Memorial Grammer School Orire Edinele, Oyo Stste,” Adetona said.
The appeal came as public sympathy continues to grow for Oyedokun’s family following the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, while the teacher’s body remains missing.
On Saturday, the family renewed its appeal to the federal government and security agencies to recover Oyedokun’s remains so he could be given a dignified burial.
In a statement shared on Instagram by his niece and family spokesperson, Oluwabukolami, the family expressed gratitude for the rescue of the abducted victims but said their grief remained unresolved because Oyedokun’s body had yet to be recovered.
“We are grateful to the government and security agencies for the safe return of the children and teachers. Every family reunited with their loved one is a reminder that hope still exists.
“But our family remains in mourning,” the statement read.
The family disclosed that 58 days after the attack, they were still awaiting the recovery of his remains.
“Fifty-eight days after Michael Olugbade Oyedokun was taken from us, we are still waiting… not for a miracle, but for the opportunity to lay him to rest,” the family said.
According to the family, the inability to recover his body has denied his wife, children and relatives the dignity, closure and opportunity to give him a proper burial.
LEADERSHIP reports that gunmen had on May 15 attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, all in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting scores of pupils and teachers.
During the attack, Oyedokun and another teacher, Esiyan Adegboye, were killed. While Adegboye’s body was recovered and he was buried in Ogbomoso on May 22, Oyedokun’s remains have yet to be found despite the rescue of the remaining abducted victims after 57 days in captivity.