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Whitney Adeniran: Chrisland School To Remain Closed Over Student’s Death — Lagos State Government Insists

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1 year ago

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Chrisland School will remain closed over student’s death as Lagos schools reopen after elections break.

It was gathered that the Lagos State Government has insisted that when students in Nigeria return to schools on Monday after the 25 February presidential and national assembly elections, those of the Chrisland High School, Ikeja, Lagos, would remain at home.

The decision by the government is a result of the unending controversies trailing the death of a 12-year-old student of the school, Whitney Adeniran.

The student died during the school’s inter-house sports, in February. The event was held at a public facility, a Lagos State-owned mini-stadium located in the Agege area of the city.

The government earlier confirmed that the post-mortem report dated 1 March and issued by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital revealed that the student died from “asphyxia and electrocution”.

The report contradicted the earlier claim by the management of the school that the deceased only slumped and died.

But the government has reassured the public that “anybody found culpable would immediately be charged to court.”

School to remain shut

The Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Folasade Adefisayo, in a press statement issued Saturday, said without prejudice to the criminal proceedings, the decision to shut the school is to “further interrogate endangerment of students and other concerns.”

“We once again, commiserate with the family of the deceased even as we reassure Lagosians that anyone found culpable in this case will be held accountable in accordance with the law,” she noted.

The controversies surrounding the student’s death have lingered since February. While the parents accused the school of negligence, the school denied any wrongdoing, saying its officials took appropriate steps to save the deceased when she “slumped” at the stadium.

Meanwhile, an autopsy report dated 1 March that was confirmed by the parents and the LASG revealed that the student died from “asphyxia and electrocution”.

LASG on Saturday also condemned the alleged plans to exhume the student’s corpse for another autopsy, noting that it would oppose such a request.

Steps taken by LASG

Mrs Adefisayo highlighted the steps the Lagos government has taken in response to the reports of the death of Miss Adediran, noting that the state’s joint task force in charge of the implementation of the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, which comprises ministries, departments and agencies, including the ministries of Youth and Social Development, Education, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and Lagos State Safety Commission, embarked on various fact-finding visits.

The statement further stated: “Officials visited the school premises and Agege Stadium, the venue of the inter-house sports activities. A condolence visit was made to Whitney’s family, to commiserate with them and reassure them of the State Government’s’ commitment to ensuring we unravel the facts surrounding the unfortunate incident.

“The school was also closed to students since the incident borders on the safety of children. The closure equally paved the way for unhindered investigation and afforded all stakeholders, including parents, students, staff and friends of the deceased, time to grieve”.

Coroner’s inquest

The commissioner further noted that “in view of the circumstances surrounding the death of the child, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice immediately ordered for a coroner’s inquest into the matter to ascertain the cause of death”.

She added that a team led by the Director-General Office of Education Quality Assurance, who had a meeting with the school management on 14 February 2023, discovered lapses in the schools’ adherence to child safeguarding policies as regards the planning of the inter-house sports and aftermath of the unfortunate incident.

She said that the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) conducted the autopsy on 15 February 2023 by the Consultant Pathologist, LASUTH, Sunday Soyemi in the presence of Samuel Keshinro and Mr Oyewole, the Consultant Pathologists representing the family of the deceased Chrisland Schools respectively.

Mrs Adefisayo noted that given the findings of the autopsy report, which revealed the cause of death as asphyxia and electrocution, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice directed that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions issues Legal Advice on the matter.

“On 2 March 2023, the Commissioner, Ministry of Education led a delegation to commiserate with Whitney’s family and to directly convey Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to ensuring justice for Whitney,” she added.

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BIG STORY

Olota Of Otta Advocates Cultural Preservation During European Tour, Visits Nigerian Embassy In Rome, Italy [PHOTOS]

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June 26, 2024

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In continuation of the ongoing Europe Tour, His Majesty, Olota of the Paramount and Ancient Ottaland, Awori Kingdom, Professor Adeyemi Obalanlege Ph.D, MCIPR, MPRII, FHEA (Lanlege Ekun II, Arole Iganmode) was warmly received at the Nigerian Embassy in Rome by a dedicated team led by Her Excellency, Amb. Gwendy OMIJEH, the Charge d’Affairs, along with key officials including M.M. LAWAL, H. KWACHE-ADAMS, G. W. GABKWET, A.O. AHANONU, M.N. TONY-BISONG, and N.J. RIBI.

Welcoming His Majesty, Mrs Gwendy OMIJEH commended Kabiyesi Olota for the diplomatic visit, and for the efforts in promoting culture and traditions. She described the tour “thoughtful”, as it will further integrate subjects living in Rome with their homeland.

During the diplomatic visit to Rome, Italy, His Majesty highlighted the importance of preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Awori people. Kabiyesi emphasized the significance of remembering one’s roots and encouraged his subjects to maintain strong ties with their homeland. He urged them to embrace their cultural identity, visit their ancestral land frequently, and actively promote and preserve the rich Awori Cultural Heritage.

Kabiyesi’s message resonates deeply in an era marked by rapid globalization and cultural homogenization. As traditional values and customs face the pressures of modernization, the Olota’s call for cultural preservation serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of heritage and identity.

As the Olota’s message reverberates beyond the confines of the embassy walls, it serves as a beacon of cultural resilience and a call to action for all to cherish, celebrate, and preserve the diverse cultural tapestry that enriches our world.

In his Majesty’s delegation; Alayeluwa Oba Adewunmi Adeniji Odutala (Onibudo of Ayetoro Itele Otta, Awori Kingdom), Chief Olusegun Johnson (Otunba of Otta, Awori Kingdom), Chief Okikiolu Fadayiro (Baamolu of Otta, Awori Kingdom), Prince Adewale Adeyanju (Culture and Tourism Consultant to His Majesty), Prince Adeyemi Sulaimon Olusesi (Principal Secretary to His Majesty & Omotobase of Otta, Awori Kingdom), and many others.

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Sanwo-Olu To Be Decorated As Omo Eko Pataki

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June 26, 2024

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Lagos Sate Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu will on Thursday, July 18, 2024 be decorated as Omo Eko Pataki, being the high point of the maiden edition of Eko Mi Award 2024. The hardworking and forward-thinking governor will be decorated by some of the revered custodians of the heritage and culture of Lagos at the Sheraton Hotel and Tower, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to the organizers of the awards, Eko Mi Awards is going to be an annual event where individuals, groups, organizations and government agencies/parastatals that have contributed to the economic, social and culturally development of the state will be recognized and awarded and the most prestigious category of the award, annually is going to be the decoration of one outstanding individual as the Omo Eko Pataki. The decoration, which will be done by adorning the individual an Aga, the traditional Eyo cap will be performed by the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

The organizers further stated that the choice of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the Omo Eko Pataki award at the maiden edition of Eko Mi Awards is informed by the outstanding performance of the governor since his assumption of office in 2019. The footprint of Governor Sanwo-Olu can be felt across the state, especially through the THEMES agenda of his administration that has seen the state seen continued developments in the areas of education, health, housing, education, infrastructure and the environment.

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JUST IN: Six Teenage Students Drown In Kaduna River After Writing Junior WAEC

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3 hours ago

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June 26, 2024

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Six teenagers drowned in the Mbang river on Tuesday in Ribang (Mbang) village, Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, while returning from a Junior WAEC exam at about 5:30 p.m.

The victims were identified as Manasseh Monday (16 years old), Musa John (16 years old), Pius David (15 years old), Monday Ayuba (16 years old), David Danlami (19 years old), and Yahuza Audu (16 years old).

According to The Punch, the National Public Relations Officer of Ribang Development Association, Pastor Simon Ishaku, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday, disclosed that three dead bodies have already been recovered and buried amidst tears.

He explained that, as of now, there are still three missing as locals have not been able to recover them out of the river.

“The school children left their homes full of hope and excitement while their parents went to the farm with the hope of reuniting with them after writing their papers of the day, only to meet their untimely death.

“The Mbang river has been a death trap for our people over the years, noting before the community can access any school or any hospital facility they’ve to travel for about 8 kilometres.

“We’re calling on the Federal Government, Governor Uba Sani, Senator Sunday Katung and our House of Representative members as a matter of urgency, to kindly assist us with school, hospital, access road and bridge in order to bring succour to our community,” Simon appealed.

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