Chibueze (Eze) Momah, a 22-year-old from Mississauga, was working as a security guard at Vaughan’s ATL Lounge when he was fatally shot on July 23. Momah’s friend and colleague, 25-year-old Tosin Amos- Arowoshegbe, of Toronto, also died after being shot in the living room that night.
Just three days later, on July 26, four-year-old Mitchell (Mimi) Chukwudumebi Nwabuoku, of Hamilton, was fatally struck by a GO Train in Mississauga, near Dundas Street and Cawthra Road.
This tragedy happened when the girl and her family were staying with relatives in Mississauga. The families had gathered to mourn the recent death of Mitchell’s grandmother and discuss arrangements for her funeral back in Nigeria.
The Mississauga-based Ibusa Community Development Union (ICDU), Canada Branch, a global organization supporting the progress and development of the Ibusa community in Nigeria, is helping to support both families following the incidents.
As a mark of respect, ICDU has decided to cancel its popular Cultural Day on July 30. The event, which was to include performances, performances, dancing and food, has been rescheduled for September.
“There was no way we could continue. The children planned to make small presentations,” Chiazor Agokei, president of the organization, told CP24.com.
“After this tragedy, it was impossible to move forward with this event.”
Agokei, who attended Mitchell’s funeral on Tuesday afternoon, said there are no words to describe the level of grief felt by people from Ibusa and the wider Nigerian community, especially those in GTHA.
“Sometimes you don’t know what to say. It’s a loss for words,” he said.
“In the space of four days, we lost two of our young men. … It’s hard for us, for this community. We didn’t have anything like this (before).”
Agokei said in Nigerian culture people support each other after the loss of a loved one by going to the family’s home, bringing food and spending time with them “to make sure they are not alone”. In recent days, several members of the community have been taking turns visiting Eze and Mitchell’s relatives.
“Our goal is just to show love, to be present, to be there to support them,” he said.
Unfortunately, the day before Mitchell was killed, Agokei was visiting the Nwabuoku family, who had just lost their mother a few days earlier.
“We had all gathered at their house to sympathize with them on the loss of their mother,” he shared.
“Then, the most terrible thing happened the next day. … A family suffered a double tragedy: the loss of their mother and then their cute little girl.”
Agokei said Eze’s death is equally devastating as he had been sent to Canada by his parents to attend school with the hope of a better future.
“He came here for a better environment and to get his education, only to be shot,” Agokei said, adding that the plan is to bury Momah here in Canada once his parents arrive from Nigeria.
“This will be another sad experience later this month.”
Agokei said the families of both Eze and Mitchell have close ties to ICDU.
The young man’s aunt, Maureen Mrabure, serves as the organization’s treasurer, while his uncle, Mitchell, has been involved in organizing and supporting many of their events and initiatives over the years.
