Seventeen-year-old Chisom Chukwuneke who was the best student in the 2019 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in her school has died after a long battle with blood cancer.
Chisom who bagged seven distinctions during last year’s WASSCE, died on October, 18th, 2020 in South Africa.
Her Alma mata,Graceland College Enugu confirmed her demise in a statement on it’s facebook page .
“Forever in our hearts! Only a moment you stayed, but what an imprint you left in our Hall of Fame, A truly outstanding student! Rest In Peace Chisom!” the school wrote.
Chisom’s father ,Felix Chukwuneke in a long tribute titled ” ANGELIC EXIT OF A GENIUS” on facebook equally narrated how his daughter’s sickness started explaining that it all began with leg pain.
He wrote:
“Just like a dream but the realities are crystal now. Just a pain on the leg that snowballed to a devastating episode, the battle started earnestly. I hear you call, ‘daddy my leg is paining me’. I watch as you lie abed with pain,” the father, a lecturer, began in his tribute to the daughter.
“As restless and worried as I can be, I promised to do everything humanly possible. With glaring poor health care in Nigeria. Off we went to South Africa. We were happy at your initial recovery, not knowing the war was just to begin.
“We fought it together for more than a year in SA. You were an embodiment of intelligence of inestimable value. Above all an indefatigable personality, courageous in the face of glaring uncertainty. You were strong, philosophical.
“My strength even in sickness, you wanted your dad freed while you go on to rest. In the bosom of our Lord where there is no more pain. You spoke in parables about a special gift 10 days earlier and left a day to my birthday.
“Never did I know your gift you promised was your glorious exit. You exhibited virtuoso and dazzling intellects to the bewilderment of the doctors at Wits Donald Gordon Hospital, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa,Today your name is written in Gold over there.”
“Like a shining light in the tunnel,
having a dream for an African Child,
with less privilege and opportunity like you,
to access good health care.
This your dream I must ensure
Forever the strong one’s been you.
Physically no more but everywhere with us
We are with you, you are with us
Farewell to His glory Enyinnia
Daddy’s Girl
always in our hearts,
you will remain.
