JUST IN: Ogun shuts school, suspends principal over pupil’s death
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Ogun State Government has shut down Obada Grammar School, Obada, Idi-Emi over the death of an SS2 student of the school, Monday Arijo.
This followed the arrest and suspension of the teacher allegedly responsible for the death of the student on Friday last week as a result of corporal punishment.
The principal of the school, Mrs. Tamrat Onaolapo, who was earlier issued a query for allowing corporal punishment to be used on the pupil against the established rules and regulations in the state, has also been suspended.
This was according to a statement sent by Mr Lekan Adeniran, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov Dapo Abiodun to journalists on Tuesday.
The statement partly read, “The closure of the school was based on the directive of the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, who has also directed that a panel should be set up to investigate the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident.
“The governor has promised that those liable by the outcome of the investigation will be made to face the full wrath of the law”.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology were also said to have visited the family of the late student.
The visit was to offer condolences to the family and express the Ministry’s sorrow over their loss as well as collect first-hand accounts of the incident for a thorough investigation.
The government’s delegation includes the Director, the Secondary and Higher Education Department in the Ministry, the Principals General, Egba and Yewa Divisions, the Zonal Education Officer, Imeko Afon, representatives of ANCOPPS, Ogun State President, Trade Union Congress and the Ogun State Chairman of ASSUS.
The Principals General, Egba and Yewa Divisions as well as the Director of Education, Secondary and Higher Education, who spoke during the visit, expressed their heartfelt condolences even as they pledged the support of the state government to the family during this challenging time.
The officials assured the family that a thorough investigation would be launched to determine the facts surrounding the incident and that accountability would be pursued.
They reiterated the government’s commitment to learners’ safety, the creation of a more supportive school environment, and justice for the bereaved family over the sudden death of their son.
The DPO, Idi-Emi, assured the family that the situation around the ugly incident would be unraveled to the core, and justice would be served. He assured them of the safety of their wards in the school.
A condolence letter to commiserate with the bereaved family over the loss as well as a cash gift of N500,000 were handed over to the representative of the deceased family.
The officials were received by the family who expressed their grief and shock at the sudden loss of their child.
