The Nigerian community in the United Kingdom has been thrown into mourning over the deaths of two of its members, Saheed Wahab and Chukwudi Ogbueche-Ifediora, in the last one week.
The tragic incidents were announced by the Nigerians in the UK Community and posted on the group’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle earlier in the week.
Wahab, a student at Teesside University, reportedly died on Tuesday, 16th January, a day after arriving in the United Kingdom. Wahab to commence his MSc programme.
Ogbueche-Ifediora, on the other hand, was a PhD researcher at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland. He was a Physiotherapist and an expert in stroke rehabilitation.
The two deaths are coming at a time when there has been observed rise in the clamour for help by some Nigerians in the UK for financial support to pay school fees and attend to urgent essentials.
Commenting on the unfortunate incident, Ibironke Khadeeja, a prominent X user who is a nurse and a member of the NIUK community urged fellow diasporans to support new members who are just coming into the country.
‘‘If you’ve been here longer, please support the new ones, and assist them with transition as it is not easy. To the new Japa, don’t joke with your health, monitor your blood pressure, take breaks as necessary, and use supplements.
‘‘Life abroad is a marathon, not a sprint. Pray along and stay humble; stress kills, overworking kills, join a community and ask for help’’.