Offaly teenager, Nonso Muojeke, is facing deportation along with his family after their 11 year wait for asylum has been denied.
Muojeke and his family moved to Ireland from Nigeria when Muojeke was four years old. His family lived in Direct Provision before moving to Laois.
Muojeke's father died in 2006 and the family, Muokeje, his Mother, and brother moved to Ireland the following year. Nigerian custom automatically means that Muojeke's mother became the property of her brother in law. Mrs. Muojeke and her sons were mistreated by her brother in law and the family and fled the country with her sons.
Muojeke's classmates have traveled to Leinster House to deliver a 22,000 signature petition to Justice Minister Charles Flanagan. Flanagan has the power to give the family "leave to remain" - a permanent resident status to a person(s) who do not hold the right of abode.
Speaking for the Save Nonso campaign Nonso’s teacher Joe Caslin said:
Nonso has lived virtually his whole life here - over 11 years. Forcing him to leave the only home he knows will inflict great harm on this young boy. Minister Charles Flanagan has the power to keep Nonso where he belongs - with his friends and community who love and care for him in Tullamore.
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A video encouraging Minister Flanagan to stop the deportation of Muojeke and his family has been made by locals and students of Tullamore College.
Go to SaveNonso.ie to sign the petition and keep Nonso and his family safe at home.
