Education
Govt shuts Lagos school over pupil’s death, parents allege cover up
The Lagos State Government has ordered the shut down of Chrisland International School pending the outcome of the investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of a pupil, Whitney Adeniran, who died during the school’s inter-house sports at Agege stadium, in the Agege area of the state.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed the development during a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Sunday.
He said, “We are investigating the matter but as a first step, we are going to shut down the school (Chrisland) tomorrow (Monday) to allow for a full investigation.
“The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasadee Adefisayo, has spoken with the father of the child to sympathise with him and commiserate with the family.”
Two narratives had been trailing the events that led to Whitney’s death during the school’s sporting activities at the stadium on Thursday, February 9, 2023.
While eyewitnesses, the school management and the doctor that attended to Whitney when she was rushed to hospital for treatment claimed that the 12-year-old pupil slumped and died of cardiac arrest, the pupil’s father, Michael, confirmed to the BBC Pidgin that his daughter was electrocuted.
“She (Whitney) died from a naked wire from one cotton candy vendor machine. After she touched it, she was electrocuted immediately. I have documented evidence that my child died of electrocution and not cardiac arrest as Chrisland School claimed,” the aggrieved father told the BBC Pidgin.
Our correspondent gathered that on the day of the inter-house sports, the school bus picked up Whitney and took her alongside other pupils to the Agege stadium for the inter-house sports.
In a bid to witness the event, Whitney’s mother, Blessing said she also visited the venue for the inter-house sports, adding that when the event commenced, she did not see her daughter among the pupils that participated in all the march-pasts organised by the school.
Worried by the development, Blessing, who was seen in a trending video shedding tears as she chronicled the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death during the school’s sporting activities at the stadium, said she was trying to locate the whereabouts of her daughter when one of the pupils said she slumped and was rushed to hospital.
She said, “No ambulance, no doctor, no nurse, there was no emergency provision on the ground in a place where you have over 500 students and 100 parents. When the boy said the school bus took her (Whitney), I ran out and met a staff member coming towards me and he said Whitney fell. I said I learnt she fell and he said I should not worry, she would be fine and they have taken her to hospital.
“I called my husband and he said I should go to the hospital and that he would make a few calls and will meet me there. I asked the staff which hospital they took my daughter to and he said he would ask the principal who said they took her to the Agege Central Hospital.
“I brought my phone and put it on Google map and typed Agege Central Hospital and it was not showing, what I saw was Agege Central Mosque. I said ‘Ma, it is not showing’ and she said ‘don’t worry, just ask around and they will tell you.’ We drove out of the stadium to the gate and asked the gatemen and they didn’t know.”
The bereaved mother explained that when she finally located the hospital, she found her 12-year-old daughter dead, adding that her lips and tongue had turned black.
She said, “When we couldn’t locate the place, we decided to go to the Agege Central Mosque and on our way to the mosque, we saw the school bus packed, so we knew we were at the place. I jumped down from the car when we saw the school bus and rushed in.
“I saw the staff that went with her (Whitney) and I asked where my child was. Why did she faint? She (the staff) said ‘I don’t know, she’s in there.’ I went in there and I saw my daughter’s corpse, Desola (Whitney) didn’t say anything to me.
“She was drenched, soaked to the skin, water was dripping. I knelt, I called on God, I shouted, I screamed. I felt her pulse, there was no pulse. My daughter was silent. I asked the doctor what happened to my daughter and he said from the look of things, she suffered from cardiac arrest.”
Lamenting over the doctor’s, Blessing wondered how her 12-year-old daughter could suffer a cardiac arrest without any pre-existing heart condition or medical condition, adding that Whitney was hale and hearty when the school bus picked her up for the event.
“Let me state that by the time I got there, my daughter’s lips and tongue had already turned black. My child was not taken to a hospital, she was taken to an immunisation centre but that is not even my pain.
“My pain is there was no proper first aid management, there was nothing that was done for her; she was brought to the hospital dead,” Blessing said.
However, Michael had in a Facebook post, demanded a probe of the circumstances surrounding his daughter’s death and urged the Lagos State Government to intervene in the matter so justice could prevail.
His post read in part, “As a father, I demand answers from Chrisland International High School. I am in deep pain and sorrow right now. If you are a father, you will understand my pain.
“My daughter is highly loved by us. We cherished her existence and we can never allow an institution to gloss over the death of our daughter. Since we started asking this question, the school has been asking us to back down from the autopsy and I know they know their way into the system.
“I am calling on the pathology department of @lasuth to please be honest with their result. Lagos State Government, Nigeria Government, please intervene.”
Reacting, the management of Chrisland Schools Limited, in a statement, commiserated with Whitney’s family as it described the pupil’s death as a painful loss.
“We are heartbroken and distressed. Whitney was one of our day students who opted not to participate in the inter-house sports match past for reasons we were not very sure of.
“However, on discretion, we respected her decision to err on the side of caution, because, on January 20, 2023, it is in our records that she had complained about not-too-buoyant health and we immediately contacted her parents. Her father, Mr Michael Adeniran, came to the school to take her home. We emphasised to her parents to take a critical look at her,” the statement said.
Explaining that Whitney slumped in public view and not under any hidden circumstances, the school said in a bid to rescue her, she was rushed to the nearest medical facility.
“Our immediate response was to take advantage of proximity to first-aid by identifying the nearest medical facility to take her to, where the doctor on duty, administered oxygen and every aid possible to her.
“We immediately notified regulatory stakeholders and agencies to allow for a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of the developments.
“As we await the outcome of an independent post-mortem process, we remain unwaveringly committed to supporting the family at this critical moment and pray fervently for the fortitude to bear her painful loss,” the statement said in part.
Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said an investigation into the case was ongoing, adding that the command was yet to ascertain Whitney’s cause of death.
“The investigation is ongoing but the real reason behind her death is not yet ascertained, when it is ascertained, I will let you know. I don’t want to listen to hearsay,” Hundeyin said.
By Our Reporter
Tragedy has struck the family of Comrade Ambrose Nnamani of Isi-Ama Ejona in Mbu Amon, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, following the death of their 14-year-old son, Kosisochukwu Nnamani.
The deceased, who was a student of the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu, was reportedly drowned while attempting to recover a bucket that fell into a water reservoir.
Sources disclosed that the unfortunate incident occurred on May 4, 2026, throwing the family and members of the community into mourning.
A burial poster released by the family described the death of the teenager as a “painful exit,” stating that his sudden demise has left relations, friends and schoolmates devastated.
According to the burial arrangements, a Christian wake is scheduled to hold at the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, while funeral Mass and interment will take place on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at his father’s compound in Ugwu-Faith, Isi-Ama Ejona, Isi-Uzo LGA of Enugu State.
The family prayed for the peaceful repose of the young boy, describing him as a “little angel gone too soon.”
By Okey Maduforo Awka .
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state has lamented lack of research in public policy making contending that academic research with positive impact on governance is sterial.
He further challenged the academic community to step up it’s intellectual works towards solving contending issues that shape the wellbeing of the immediate society.
The Governor who delivered a lecture at the 6th Biennial Adada Lecture Series 2026 convened by Association of Nsukka Professors noted that gone are those days when intellectual works end up at the University book shelf without transforming the socioeconomic needs of any given society.
Soludo observed that the “fusion of thought and action” remains the only bridge to a national rebirth.
Soludo questioned why academic discussions have seemingly lost their authority in national life. Despite producing thousands of professors and journals, he noted a “severed link” between academic research and public policy.
“If you have 200 Professors as members, how is the Adada zone not a first world?” he asked, challenging the audience to move beyond the walls of the university. “We produce journal articles, but how many have become policies? Intellectualism without activism is sterile.”
The Governor further advocated for “Productive Intellectualism,” where critical thinking guides public purpose. Drawing from his first tenure as Governor over the last four years, Governor Soludo highlighted how he has attempted to bring intellectualism to governance through “sacrificial volunteerism” and how he succeeded in laying the foundation for the African Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley.
He emphasized that nations do not develop by resources alone, but by ideas that precede institutions; citing historical giants like Isaac Newton, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Kwame Nkrumah, Ahmadu Bello, and a host of others, as examples of a shared pattern of logical thinking that yield ideas and then built.
“This is a challenge to the intellectuals and the wider academic community: to multi-task, as the modern intellectual must be both a thinker and a doer, Question the Status Quo which remains a fundamental element of true intellectualism”
“Standing akimbo is too expensive,” Soludo warned. “We don’t just live; we live to matter. It is time to get back to basics and drive the African renaissance through active participation.”
Speaking earlier, Professor Osita Ogbu, presiding as Chairman, observed that the true benchmark of academic excellence is not found in the complacency of achievement, but in an unyielding hunger for discovery and the courage to apply that knowledge to real-world challenges. He asserted that intellectuals are never satisfied, they keep working.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Simon Ortuanya, framed the gathering as a significant homecoming for Governor Soludo. He offered a glowing tribute to the Governor, commending his transformative contributions to the Nigerian state and his broader dedication to the service of humanity.
Enugu East Local Government Area has formalised a strategic partnership with David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening human capital development in the council area.
The agreement, signed during a high-level meeting between officials of the council and the university’s management, is expected to open new opportunities in medical education, training, and healthcare capacity building.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Executive Chairman of Enugu East LGA, Engr. Pst. Beloved-Dan Obi Anike, described the partnership as a major step toward building a healthier and more prosperous society through deliberate investment in education.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the broader development agenda of the Enugu State Government under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, particularly in the area of human capital development.
As part of the agreement, the council unveiled plans to sponsor 100 students from Enugu East to study medical-related courses at the university, a move aimed at addressing manpower gaps in the health sector while empowering local youths.
“This partnership is not just about education; it is about securing the future of our people. By investing in medical training, we are building a foundation for sustainable healthcare delivery in Enugu East,” Anike said.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Jesse Uneke, commended the council for its forward-thinking approach, describing the MoU as a mutually beneficial arrangement that would enhance both academic excellence and community impact.
He assured that the institution would provide the necessary support to ensure the success of the scholarship programme and other areas of collaboration captured in the agreement.
The MoU is also expected to cover research collaboration, capacity building, and possible medical outreach programmes within Enugu East communities.
Stakeholders say the partnership marks a significant milestone in the council’s drive to improve access to quality education and healthcare, while positioning Enugu East as a model for grassroots-driven development.
Implementation of the agreement is expected to commence in the coming weeks, with both parties set to outline detailed modalities for its execution.
Fifteen students from Enugu East Local Government Area who were awarded scholarships to study medicine and engineering at Maduka University have officially matriculated, marking a major milestone in their academic journey.
The scholarship initiative, driven by the Enugu East Local Government Council under the leadership of Engr. Pst. Beloved-Dan Obi Anike, is part of efforts to boost human capital development through strategic investment in education.
The council facilitated admission for the beneficiaries into high-demand professional courses, positioning them to become future leaders in medicine, engineering, and related fields.
The matriculation ceremony was attended by key government representatives, including Barr. Uche Mbaeke, Secretary of Enugu East LGA, and Pst. Polycarp Ugwu, Secretary of the Enugu East Human Capital Trust Fund, who represented the council at the event.
The ceremony signals the beginning of a new academic chapter for the students, who are expected to make meaningful contributions to their community and beyond.
The initiative has been widely commended as a bold step toward youth empowerment and sustainable development in Enugu East.
A lecturer at Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Mr. Anslem Ojodomo, has died after collapsing in class while teaching.
The Rector of the polytechnic confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday in Lokoja by the Acting Coordinator, Directorate of Public Relations, Mr. John Onimisi, describing the development as a “deep personal shock.”
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across the institution, coming just a month after another lecturer, Dr. Barnabas Akuba, passed away shortly after completing his PhD programme.
Ojodomo’s death has sparked concern among staff and students, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding the sudden losses.
Student eyewitnesses, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, said Ojodomo collapsed while addressing his class. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The polytechnic community has been left in a state of uncertainty, having lost two lecturers in quick succession.
Meanwhile, the Rector, Prof. Salihu Avidime, extended heartfelt condolences to the institution and the family of the deceased, noting that Ojodomo was a lecturer in the Department of Public Administration.
Avidime recalled meeting Ojodomo just hours before his death, where they exchanged pleasantries.
He described the late lecturer as a dedicated and humble academic committed to excellence.
“The Polytechnic community is mourning the loss of a promising academic and dependable colleague who embodied scholarship, service, and character,” he said.
“Ojodomo’s contributions as Deputy Dean, Student Services, and lecturer were impactful and inspiring.”
Anselm Victory Ojodomo (October 5, 1992 – March 27, 2026) held a Master’s degree from Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, where he had recently defended his PhD proposal.
He joined Kogi State Polytechnic in 2021 and served on several committees.
The polytechnic community commiserated with his family and the people of Igalamela/Odolu, praying for his soul to rest in peace.
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