They noted that the memories of July 10, 1999, would continue to be a defining moment in the annals of the OAU and activism in Nigeria.
Human rights, social and student activists as well as well-wishers have paid tribute to George Akinyemi Iwilade, popularly known as Afrika, who was killed on July 10, 1999, by cultists allegedly backed by authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, during the university’s dark days and struggles with the monster of cultism.
They noted that the memories of July 10, 1999, would continue to be a defining moment in the annals of the OAU and activism in Nigeria.
The sad events of that day have remained fresh over the years as generations of OAU students and union leaders remember Afrika and other comrades who were murdered on campus on that fateful day by a murderous gang of cult members.
Afrika was hacked to death by members of the Black Axe Confraternity in alliance with other cult groups.
Afrika, who was then the General Secretary of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), wasn’t the only victim of that vicious attack visited on the collective will of students.
Four of his roommates, Eviano Ekelemu (a graduating student), Yemi Ajiteru (a 100-Level Philosophy student), Babatunde Oke, and Godfrey Ekpede were murdered in their sleep, as the group came for them alongside the then President of the school’s SUG President, Lanre Adeleke, popularly known as Legacy, who narrowly escaped death.
The killings were perpetrated by a squad of scores of the Black Axe Confraternity branch at the university, in collaboration with some of their colleagues from other schools. They invaded the Awolowo Hall of the university at around 4.30 am, clad in black clothes, with their faces hidden by masks, and attacked students with guns and machetes.
On March 7, 1999, the SUG leaders received information that cult members were gathering in a house at the Senior Staff quarters. Led by Afrika, the then General Secretary, they drove there and forced their way into the boys' quarters where they found and arrested nine individuals with machine guns, weapons and regalia of the Black Axe cult. The cultists were taken to Awo Hall where they confessed they had come for initiation.
They mentioned Prof. Wale Omole (the then Vice Chancellor) and a senior staff member as their patrons. The school was informed and the cultists were handed over to the police. They were charged at a Magistrate Court in Osun State but two weeks later, they were granted bail. The weapons and other evidence recovered from them were destroyed.
The students then found their way back into campus as the school took no action against them for being cult members. And eventually, they carried out their attack on July 10. It was in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Two of the alleged cultists who perpetrated the act, Emeka and Efosa, were caught that same day. And through them, the rest were caught. They confessed to being sponsored by Omole and that they were given N350,000 by the school on July 8 to get the ammunition they used. Omole was suspended and relieved of his post as Vice-Chancellor.
The perpetrators of the massacre were never brought to justice and were eventually released after three years.
Although Monday, July 10, 2023, is exactly 23 years since the young vibrant and energetic Nigerian students were brutally and gruesomely assassinated, their memories have continued to live on as friends and well-wishers remember their genuine activism.
The candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections, and convener #RevolutionNow, Comrade Omoyele Sowore took to his Twitter handle to invoke the memory of the OAU-5.
Sowore, who was also a student activist in his university days, wrote: "Today is July 10, a critical day to remember a revolutionary youth murdered by the system at OBAFEMI AWOLOWO University, Ile-Ife in his prime.
"Afrika, a Law student was the General Secretary of the highly vibrant/militant OAU Student’s Union. Today is George “Afrika” Iwilade's day!"
A tweep, AdewaleKayodeJ3 wrote:
"OAU carnage before dawn - exactly 24 years today that the sponsored and systematic killings occurred on Awo soil.
"The aftermath is revolutionary resistance against sheer injustice and cultism on GREATIFE soil and Nigeria as a whole. #Afrika lives on - #OAU-5 lives."
@BunduForAfrika1 wrote: "Afrika may be dead and we may still be mourning but we are always comforted with the ideals, legacy and life of Africa.
"That we are still able to carry the banner of what you died for, defend what you defended and fight what you fought, it is enough as a succour to us. #OAU5."
@DukeMotherland wrote: "While in school, Iwilade will adorn his native atire to class in defiance to the adopted uniform for Law students
"Afrika fought the school administration and the military against the neo-liberal advocature of the Education sector. Iwilade fought for the student welfare and…"
@ObaTojo wrote: "On July 10, 1999, cultists sponsored by the state invaded OAU and murdered Afrika and others.
"May their blood continue to hunt their killers that are still alive. Adieu Afrika and others."
@Advsola reacted: "Today, as usual, we remember our fallen heroes. Afrika lives on!!
"Continue to: RIP Afrika! RIP Yemi Ajiteru! RIP Eviano Ekelemu! RIP Efe! RIP Babatunde Oke!
"Great Ife will never forget you and the sacrifice you made. #July10. #OAU5."
@LawyerWasiu simply wrote: "Afrika lives on! #10July."
@AyowoleSanyaolu wrote: "Today, we remember George Yemi Iwilade Afrika who was murdered on the 10th of July, 1999 by the same system that killed the revolutionary endSARS youth on the 20th of October, 2020.
"The legacy he left behind is that which inspires courage, and commitment to the course of…"
@jiggyjosh_ wrote: "THE STORY OF THE JULY 10 OAU MASSACRE:
"THE STORY OF AFRIKA & Other fallen heroes together WITH EVIANO EKELEMU, YEMI AJITERU, BABATUNDE OKE & EKPEDE GODFREY
"A THREAD RETWEET TO ENLIGHTEN SOMEONE."
@datsportslawyer wrote: "Today, we remember you. George Akinyemi Iwilade "Afrika"...U and 4 others paid the supreme price so the likes of us would live seamless on OAU campus...
"We cherish the freedom we enjoyed every moment, and for that, we will never forget you. Keep resting, Champs...#July10th."
Twitter user Temi with the handle @TheManAfricano wrote: "May the sweat and blood of our heros continue to water the tree of our struggle for freedom. RIP 🪦 Afrika."