It was tears and wailing on Saturday when a social media influencer popularly known as Yemitheplug was buried at the Port Harcourt cemetery.
Yemitheplug, whose real name was Folorunsho Michael, suffered an asthmatic attack and was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital where he died on November 29, 2022.
His death sparked off a protest by his friends, most of who were students who alleged that nurses at the hospital delayed in administering treatment to him.
Yemitheplug, 23, studied Food Science and Bio-Technology at the University of Port Harcourt, and was supposed to have joined in last week’s convocation of the school, but was snatched by the cold hands of death.
As early as 9 am on Saturday, his parents, relatives, students and well-wishers adorned in black attires were seen at the cemetery to pay him their last respect.
One of the students who sobbed uncontrollably at the graveside said,” Yemi you were supposed to bury your parents and not the other way round.
“You always greet me every morning and checked on me. I will miss you dearly, ” she said.
At the graveside, just before his remains were interred, an elderly woman was seen pointing to the grave and speaking in the local language, while fighting back tears.
Scores of wailing female students were being consoled by their male colleagues and others.
A cleric, Isaiah Aminadoki had conducted a brief burial sermon in a hall inside the cemetery before leading the mourners to the graveside.
Reading from relevant Bible passages, he said, “Every man on earth has an appointment with death.
“Our prayer is that we will not die prematurely. Micheal will be remembered for the work he did.
“Life is a seed. Whatever you plant you will plant.”
As late as Yemitheplug’s body was being covered, most of the female mourners cried loudly and muttered words suggesting what the departed youngster meant to them.
Gradually they all left the graveside reluctantly and made their way outside the cemetery and back to their respective destinations.
