Chisom Chukwuneke, a student who had 7As in the 2019 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and recently passed away has been mourned by her school, Graceland College, Enugu.
The 17-year-old died in South Africa following treatment for Leukemia.
Leukemia, popularly called blood cancer, is a malignant progressive disease in which the bone marrow and other blood-forming organs produce increased numbers of immature or abnormal leucocytes, leading to the suppression of the production of normal blood cells.
The deceased had the best WASSCE results in her alma mater, Graceland College in Enugu, where she graduated last year.
The school in a statement published via its Facebook page, wrote, “Forever in our hearts! Only a moment you stayed, but what an imprint you left in our Hall of Fame. A truly outstanding student! Rest in peace. Rest In Peace Chisom!”
Her father, Prof. Felix Chukwuneke, in a Facebook post, said Chisom was taken to South Africa for medical treatment, due to the poor state of Nigeria’s health care.
In a compelling tribute, the deceased’s father wrote:
We were happy at your initial recovery.
Not knowing the war was just to begin
We fought it together for more than a year in SA,
You were an embodiment of intelligence of inestimable value
Above all an indefatigable personality
Courageous in the face of glaring uncertainty.
“You were strong and philosophical
My strength and motivation even in sickness
You wanted your dad freed while you go on to rest,
In the bosom of our Lord Where there is no more pain
You spoke in parables about a special gift 10 days earlier, and left a day to my birthday.
“Never did I know your special birthday gift,
You promised was your Glorious exit.
You exhibited your virtuoso and dazzling intellects, to the bewilderment of the doctors at Wits Donald Gordon Hospital Parktown Johannesburg South Africa
Today your name is written in Gold over there.
“Like a shining light in the tunnel,
having a dream for an African Child,
with less privilege and opportunity like you,
to access good health care.
This your dream I must ensure
Forever the strong one’s been you.
Physically no more but everywhere with us
We are with you, you are with us
Farewell to His glory Enyinnia Daddy’s Girl
Always in our hearts, you will remain.”
