- As 3-year-old pupil abused by Lagos teacher gets scholarship
On account of a swimming pool accident that claimed the life of a two-year-old girl, Rapheala Ogbodo, the Lagos State Government has ordered the closure of Smiley Kids Montessori School, located in Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo.
The announcement was made via a statement shared on the Lagos State Government’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday.
According to the statement, officials from the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Office of Education Quality Assurance, under the Ministry of Education, have visited the school to conduct a preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The school has been sealed off to allow for a thorough investigation and to identify potential lapses that led to the unfortunate death.
The statement read, “The attention of the Lagos State Safety Commission has been drawn to the swimming pool accident that occurred at Smiley Kids Montessori, Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo, Lagos, on Wednesday, 15th January 2025, which led to the death of a two-year-old female, Rapheala Ogbodo.
“The officials of the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education have visited the scene of the accident to carry out a preliminary investigation and ascertain the root cause of the unfortunate incident.
“While the school is presently under lock pending further investigation, the state government extends its deepest condolences to the family of the victim and expresses its commitment to preventing future occurrences.
“The Director-General of the Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, stated that all school owners and caregivers must comply with safety regulations to prevent accidents in the State.
“Mojola further stated that further information would be made available upon completion of investigations into the accident.”
PUNCH reported on Thursday that a Nigerian woman, identified simply as Ella, had called for justice following the death of her two-year-old daughter at a school in Lagos.
She explained that her daughter left for school on Wednesday but did not return alive.
On a cheery note, Abayomi Michael, a three-year-old pupil of Christ-Mitots School in the Isawo area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, whose teacher Stella Nwadigbo assaulted him, has been awarded a scholarship covering his education up to university level.
TheNewsGuru reports that Gidi Real Estate Investment Ltd generously offered the scholarship.
It would be recalled that Nwadigbo was captured on video assaulting Abayomi during a numeracy lesson. The viral footage, which surfaced online, showed the moment the teacher repeatedly hit the boy as he stood in front of her desk.
The disturbing video sparked public outrage, leading to Nwadigbo’s arrest and arraignment in court.
At a ceremony organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development on Thursday at Alausa to formalize the scholarship agreement, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, commended the gesture by Gidi Real Estate Investment Ltd.
“The state government cannot do it alone. We are always ready to partner with any individual or group that can assist us in alleviating the burden on our citizens.
“We appreciate Gidi Real Estate Investment Ltd. for this noble gesture and encourage others to follow suit,” Ogunlende said.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Pharm. (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, expressed concern over the abuse, stating, “We were deeply disturbed by the physical abuse of Michael Abayomi.
“To ensure it was not ignored, we immediately took appropriate action to secure justice and provide the necessary medical care for the child. We are pleased today that the situation has turned into a positive outcome.”
Ayorinde Ejioye, co-founder of Gidi Real Estate Investment Ltd., emphasised that the company was moved to act, recognizing that such abuse could happen to any child.
In addition, a private firm provided a fully furnished two-bedroom flat to Mrs. Nike Okunlaya, Abayomi’s mother and a widow, as part of their support for the family.
