in school next month. But that is not to be. He was killed by a stray bullet while attempting to exercise his franchise during the last weekend’s elections. ISRAEL AROGBONLO reports.The late 19-year-old Usman Daniel, like every other Nigerian, woke up last Saturday with a desire: to exercise his voting right for the first time since he attained suffrage age. He earnestly looked forward to that day, which, unfortunately, was his last on earth.
A family friend of the deceased, who identified herself as D’Taigress, described the incident as strange and pathetic: “Daniel was my good friend. He just gained admission and was supposed to resume fully next month when he lost his dreams to death .” He continued:“Though his death is painful, I have nothing much to say than extend my condolences to the family for this great loss. This was a boy who posted on histimeline a few hours to the election that youths should shun violence, not knowing that he would die by what he preached against. My advice to the youths is to disengage themselves from electoral violence in subsequent elections so as to improve on our democracy.
A sympathiser, Philipina Okeke, praised the deceased’s high level of patriotism. “He paid with his life because he went to exercise his civic right. If he were at home, they would have questioned him for refusing to vote. Now that he went to exercise his franchise, he paid with his life. My condolence to his family members and loved ones. Adieu to one of the greatest youths of our time,” she said.