Edith CHUKU
Following the unfortunate death of a two-year-old girl, Miss Winnie Akekue, in Wisdom Gate International Schools, Eligbolo, in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Are, the Rivers State government has announced shut down of the campus where the incident happened.
Government through the ministry of education also ordered total suspension of activities until all issues surrounding the matter were fully resolved.
The order by the education commissioner, Dr. Peter Nwagor, is coming few days after the state Police command confirmed receipt of the autopsy report conducted on the remains of the girl.
Akekue allegedly died from injuries after a bookshelf fell on her in a classroom at her school.
Parents of the girl had accused the management of the school of initially hiding the truth, while also alleging that the police were reluctant to release the autopsy report submitted to it by the pathologist.
After carefully evaluating the tragic incident which occurred March 17, the state ministry of education said, “while we deeply sympathize with the parents of the child over the irreparable loss, and respect their privacy during this moments of grief, we appeal to members of the public to do same and avoid speculations.
“As a ministry, we have interfaced with the management of the school and conducted our own independent investigations into the incident.
“Consequently, Wisdom Gate International School, campus 1, Eligbolo, is hereby suspended from operations and shall not resume academic activities until all issues surrounding the matter are fully resolved.
“The ministry of education remains committed to ensuring standard care, safety and sustainability while continuing to provide quality assurance both in public and private Schools.”
