It was tears and wails on Saturday when a social media influencer popularly known as Yemitheplug was laid to rest in Port Harcourt Cemetery.
Yemitheplug, whose real name was Folorunsho Michael, suffered an asthma attack and was rushed to Port Harcourt University Teaching Hospital, where he died on November 29, 2022.
His death sparked a protest from his friends, most of whom were students, who claimed that the hospital nurses were slow in administering treatment.
Yemitheplug, 23, studied Food Science and Biotechnology at the University of Port Harcourt, and was supposed to have joined last week’s school convocation but was snatched away by the cold hands of death.
As early as 9 am on Saturday, his parents, relatives, students and supporters dressed in black were seen at the cemetery to pay their last respects.
One of the students who was crying uncontrollably at the graveside said, “Yemi, you were supposed to bury your parents and not the other way around.
“You always greet me every morning and check on me. I will miss you so much,” she said.
At the graveside, just before his remains were to be buried, an elderly woman was seen pointing at the grave and speaking in the local language, while fighting back tears.
Dozens of crying female students were being comforted by their male colleagues and others.
A cleric, Isaiah Aminadoki, had led a brief burial sermon in a hall within the cemetery before leading mourners to the graveside.
Reading relevant Biblical passages, he said: “Every man on earth has an appointment with death.
“Our prayer is that we do not die prematurely. Michael will be remembered for the work that he did.
“Life is a seed. Whatever you plant, you will plant.”
As late as Yemitheplug’s body was being covered, most of the mourners were crying aloud and muttering words that suggested what the deceased youth meant to them.
Little by little, they all reluctantly left the grave and headed out of the cemetery and back to their respective destinations.