Rivers reopens school four months after toddler’s death, family kicks

Four months after the tragic death of a two-year-old pupil, Wynne Akekue, which led to the closure of Wisdom Gate International School, Eligbolo Campus, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Rivers State Government has ordered the reopening of the school.

The state government suspended the operations of the school in April following the death of the toddler, who reportedly died on March 17 after a bookshelf collapsed on her while she was asleep in one of the classrooms.

The incident raised concerns among stakeholders in the education sector and parents over safety standards in schools across the state.

However, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday, the state government said the decision to reopen the school followed a thorough investigation by the Ministry of Education, which confirmed that the school had met the required safety standards and upgraded its facilities as directed.

The statement, signed by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor, warned the management of the school to ensure that no further incident occurs that could lead to another shutdown.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that all public and private schools across the state maintain the required safety standards.

The statement read, “The Rivers State Ministry of Education hereby announces the lifting of the suspension of Wisdom Gate International School, Campus 1, Eligbolo, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

“This decision follows a thorough investigation and confirmation by the Ministry of Education that Wisdom Gate International School has met the required safety standards and upgraded its facilities as instructed by the Ministry.

“Consequently, Wisdom Gate International School, Campus 1, Eligbolo, is permitted to resume academic activities and is strictly mandated to prevent any circumstances that could lead to a recurrence of such an unfortunate incident.

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“The Rivers State Ministry of Education is committed to ensuring that safety standards are maintained in all public and private schools.”

Our correspondent, who has been following the case, reports that the parents of the late toddler have continued to demand justice, as the matter is currently before a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.

The proprietor of the school and four members of the management staff of the Eligbolo campus are accused of complicity in the toddler’s death.

Meanwhile, the toddler’s father, Dr Isuaka Akekue, has expressed disappointment that the state government permitted the school to reopen while the case over his daughter’s death is still before the court.

Speaking during a programme on Nigeria Info 92.3 FM in Port Harcourt on Friday evening, monitored by our correspondent, Akekue questioned the decision to reopen the school when his daughter had yet to be buried and the case remained pending in court.

He also said he had not been informed of the outcome of the independent investigation ordered by the Rivers State Government, adding that reopening the school could make it difficult for investigators or the court to inspect the scene again if the need arises.

“In respect of the reopening of Wisdom Gate International School, I’m actually very concerned about this because I know the letter we got from the Ministry of Education at the time they closed the school said the school would be reopened when every matter concerning this issue had been resolved.

“As it is, my daughter is still in the morgue, yet to be buried.

“Investigations have not been concluded yet, and even the independent investigation the Ministry of Education said they were conducting—we don’t know what they came up with, if indeed they have concluded it. And you understand we are in court,” he said.