Tears, Wails, and Anguished Cries As Dr. Rotifa, Who Collapsed in Duty, Was Laid to Rest
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – September 6, 2025, 09:28 PM BST
In a scene of indescribable sorrow, tears, wails, and anguished cries pierced the air yesterday, September 5, 2025, as Dr. Stephen Oluwafemi Rotifa—cherished as “Femoski”—was laid to rest at Port Harcourt Cemetery, Aggrey Road.
The burial rites, preceded by a solemn Service of Songs on Thursday at Firstlove Assembly, 457 Ikwerre Road, Rumuokwuta, marked the final farewell to a 28-year-old soul who collapsed in the line of duty, a victim of Nigeria’s beleaguered healthcare system.
Born in 1997, Dr. Rotifa’s journey was one of brilliance and compassion. A distinguished Surgery Resident at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), he rose to prominence as the former President of the Port Harcourt University Medical Students’ Association (PUMSA), leaving an indelible mark with his leadership and kindness.
Having secured registration with the UK General Medical Council (GMC) after passing his exams, he stood on the threshold of a new life in the UK, awaiting a job offer to escape the relentless demands of his homeland. Yet, struck by illness, his plea for rest was denied by a senior consultant, thrusting him into a grueling 72-hour call shift.
His collapse in the call room on September 1, 2025, and subsequent passing in the Intensive Care Unit shattered a future brimming with promise.
The graveside was a tableau of grief, with social media platforms echoing tributes of a “selfless healer” whose light was extinguished too soon.
An investigation into his death and the consultant’s negligence persists, a faint beacon of justice amid the mourning. Fellow Nurses Africa extends our deepest sympathies to his family and all who loved him. Dr. Rotifa’s life, though brief, inspires our unwavering resolve for reform. Rest in eternal peace, dear Femoski.
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