Benue student treks ‘over 62km’ distance on foot to honour lecturer

Dominic pictured with his lecturer, Mr John

A student of the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, Ende Terkuma Dominic has completed a journey of ‘over 62 Kilometres’ on foot in honour of his lecturer, John Otor Ogi, who received him warmly at the department complex upon arrival.

Dominic, a 200-level Mass Communication student of the BSU, Tribune CampusXtra gathered, trekked (walked on foot) from Tarka Local Government Area of the State to the university campus in Makurdi, the Benue State capital city.

Dominic who was welcomed and cheered by a crowd of students said he embarked on the journey as a sign of respect for the lecturer who he says is his boss and role model.

According to him, John Ogi is a lecturer with a difference. He said he first met the lecturer on social media platform, Facebook even before obtaining admission into the school and has since then, kept contact with him.

Dominic said right from when he met the lecturer online and through his stay in the school, he has closely watched the lecturer and concluded that Ogi is one who has so much passion and sympathy for humankind.

He however added that the reason he embarked on the journey was not for affluence or for any endorsements by any brand but because he was genuinely interested in showing his maximum respect for Ogi.

He said; “It is a privilege to be alive today and to meet my outspoken lecturer who is not only a lecturer but a senior lecturer. I am grateful to God for keeping all of us here alive.

“The essence of why I embarked on this journey is not for affluence, it’s not for any compensation, I’m not looking for anything. I don’t want any brand to promote me and I don’t want to promote any brand.

“I want to tell all of us here that it’s nice to appreciate people’s kind gesture when there is need.

“John Ogi is a man I call my lecturer, my father, my role model, and a man I want to be like when I grow up. He is a father in the Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University, Makurdi, and a senior man in the department and society at large.

“I said the society at large because while online, I met him helping the less privileged people. Someone who should have been thinking of how to put his life in order and achieve all he has been planning all this while. He has been paying people’s school fees, trying to make sure that people who don’t have enough are helped.

“So I’m here to show my respect and pay homage to my boss and lecturer.”

Receiving the student, Ogi in company of the President of Mass Communication Students Association (MACOSA), Ulian Fred, amongst others, acknowledged the show of respect to him while promising to sponsor all five unpublished manuscripts of the student who is also a writer.

He said he was humbled by the show of love urging Dominic to work hard to achieve academic success as he would not receive any preferential treatment regardless.

He further promised to take the student on a vacation over the weekend.

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