The Oromoni family, still reeling from the tragic and controversial death of Dowen College student Sylvester Oromoni Jnr in 2021, has been dealt another heavy blow with the passing of Mrs. Rosemary Oromoni, the family matriarch.
Mrs. Oromoni reportedly succumbed to a blood pressure-related illness on November 25, 2024, leaving her family and friends heartbroken. Tributes poured in on social media as news of her death spread, with many reflecting on the profound losses the family has endured over the years.
The Executive Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Jaro Egbo, visited the Oromoni family on November 28 to pay his respects. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Egbo described Mrs. Oromoni’s passing as “shocking and painful,” emphasizing that her absence would be deeply felt, especially by her husband.
“Mrs. Oromoni’s passing has left a void in the lives of those who knew her. On behalf of my immediate family and the good people of Ughelli North Local Government Area, I express my heartfelt condolences to my dear brother, friend, and great colleague on the passing of his beloved wife,” Egbo wrote.
Blessing, a sister of the late Sylvester, shared an emotional prayer on her Instagram story, asking for divine comfort for those mourning. “Dear God, we pray for those who are grieving today. Please, wrap your loving arms around them and bring them comfort in their sorrow,” the post read.
Many sympathizers have linked Mrs. Oromoni’s death to the unresolved grief she carried following the untimely death of her son Sylvester, whose demise remains a source of public controversy and heartbreak.
Sylvester’s death in 2021 ignited national outrage, with his family alleging he had been assaulted by fellow students at Dowen College who reportedly attempted to initiate him into cultism. The school, however, claimed he died from injuries sustained during a football match.
A Coroner’s Inquest into Sylvester’s death eventually exonerated Dowen College and the five accused students, while indicting the Oromoni family and their doctor for negligence. The father of the deceased, Sylvester Oromoni Snr, rejected the inquest’s findings, citing unanswered questions about the black substance found in his son’s stomach.
The loss of Mrs. Oromoni has reopened wounds for a family already grappling with unresolved pain and controversy. Social media has been awash with messages of sympathy, with many calling for healing and justice for the Oromoni family.
