Students at the University of Sussex, in Britain occupied the campus at the beginning of March. This was to resist the deportation of Luqman Onikosi a Nigerian-born student, at the university who is suffering from liver cirrhosis. He had been diagnosed with Hepatitis B in 2009, while pursuing his bachelor’s degree at Warwick. His two brothers had earlier died from the same disease.
After wrapping up his BA, he got a job with the Nigerian embassy. But unfortunately, his health had worsened and he could not cope with the work. His visa subsequently expired and he applied on health grounds for an extension. The British Home office rejected this.
He was on the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. Coming back home with the poor state of healthcare delivery is quite akin to sending him to his death. The earlier demise of his brothers confirms this. He raised funds through mass appeals at Congresses for his MA in global political economy programme.
He then also applied for a visa extension on humanitarian grounds. It was while he was writing his thesis that the second appeal was turned down and the Home office directed the university to withdraw his studentship.
The upsurge of support against Luqman’s deportation should be supported and deepened by anyone with a heart. #DontDeportLuqman
