AVMS Organises Candlelight Procession as Veterinary Medicine Community Mourns Late Christabella Okareh

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine was plunged into deep sorrow on Friday, 2nd October, as students, friends and family gathered for a candlelight procession in memory of Christabella Okareh, a 500-level student of Veterinary Medicine, who died on the night of Tuesday, 29th September.

The procession, organised by the AVMS, began at about 5:45 p.m. from St. Anne's Hostel. Mourners which includes Family members, friends, hostel mates, veterinary students and the Student Union President, Comrade Adeboye Temidayo, moved slowly and solemnly, singing hymns and songs of mourning. They passed through Idia Hall and Tech Junction to the Students' Union Building (SUB), where they paused to sing before continuing to the Faculty. The air was heavy with grief the entire way, and many walked with bowed heads and candles 

On reaching the Faculty, Christabella's portrait was placed down at the centre of the gathering. Candles were set in a circle around it as the crowd continued to sing. 

The Dean of the Faculty, Professor Olugasa, then addressed the gathering. He said he was deeply sorry over the loss and described it as a painful thing to happen to the Faculty. He spoke words of mourning and consolation to the grieving students, and to those who knew her best.

Tributes followed from people who had known and loved her. Her best friend was the first to come up and speak but was overcome with emotion and couldn't continue. Her coursemates, including Ivie, Bolaji, Shalom, Miriam and others spoke warmly of the kind of person she was. Some of her hostel mates from St. Anne's also came forward to share memories of the girl they lived alongside,

A young woman who identified herself as Christabella's childhood friend said they had only reconnected earlier this year. The two had been planning to hang out, she said, but that plan can now never come to pass. 

The former President of the Faculty of Pharmacy and the President of the Faculty of Social sciences also paid their tribute. The President of her fellowship came out to talk about how she was loving and always ready to help. The President of the Faculty, Farouq Odunaike, also addressed the gathering and mourned with the students.

The most emotional tribute of the evening came from Christabella's brother. He described her as a kind and cheerful person who loved many bright things.

The evening closed with prayers from the NVCMSF president as the candles burned slowly down around her portrait, leaving the Faculty quiet and heavy with loss.

The VNO also deeply mourns the loss of Christabella Okareh. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, coursemates and the entire Faculty. May her soul rest in peace.