Rivers school begs for reopening after shutdown over toddler’s death

The management of Wisdom Gate International School, Eligbolo, near Port Harcourt, where a two-year-old pupil died, has appealed to the Rivers State Government to reconsider the suspension of its academic activities.

Also, some stakeholders appealed to the government and the parents of the pupil, Wynnie Akakue, who died from injuries after a bookshelf fell on her while she was asleep in the classroom, for intervention and understanding amid the unfortunate incident and grief.

Recall that following the ill-fated March 17 incident, the parents of the deceased, Dr Iasuaka Akakue and Mrs Chinyere Akakue, cried foul and accused the school of a cover-up while insisting on justice for their daughter.

Following the public outcry, the Rivers State Government ordered the suspension of Wisdom Gate International School, Campus 1, Elimgbo.

The state Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor, said in a statement that the school would remain shut and barred from resuming activities until all issues surrounding the incident are fully addressed and resolved.

But speaking to newsmen, some parents of pupils said the continued closure of the school was already taking a toll on them, adding that it is negatively affecting their children and putting teachers out of jobs.

The proprietress of the school, Toyon Obikoya, said the suspension of academic activities came as a shock to them but pleaded with the government and the parents of the late pupil, who was in their care when the incident occurred, for mercy and understanding.

She stated, “The children in Wisdom Gate International School are our children. We see that our commissioner is a father; he is our grandfather in this institution. That’s why we are calling on him. He has done the right thing by suspending activities for now.

“But we are telling him that he should please show us mercy because other children’s education is equally at stake. The parents are calling, but because we are a law-abiding institution, we can’t do otherwise.

“But these children, where do we take them to? The period they were writing exams was when this incident happened, and so we had to close the school. We are crying out for people to please intercede and see all children as theirs.”

Obikoya reiterated that the school remains saddened by the incident and is extending its sincere empathy to the parents of the pupil, adding that the management has made efforts to reach the family.

“The family demanded that we speak to them through their lawyer, and knowing this, we moved to his hometown in Tai, Ogoni Kingdom, to reach the bishop of the Anglican Diocese, who led us to the grandparents of our dear pupil. We reported the incident and shared our sincere empathy with the family before leaving.

“Afterwards, the management of the school also travelled to Etche to see the bishop. We did all of these to see how we could reach the family, not to intimidate or show pomposity.”

The proprietress also said the matter has been taken to court, pointing out that the school is a law-abiding entity and will not obstruct any investigation.

One of the parents, simply identified as Cynthia, described the incident as heartbreaking, saying, “It’s really heartbreaking. I’ve lost a child, so I understand the pain the parents are going through.

“There is nothing we can do to bring back the child, but we are pleading for empathy and a little compassion because, as parents, it’s really difficult for us. Wisdom Gate has been good academically and morally.

“Please have mercy on behalf of my co-parents. It’s difficult for us. We are confused. Most of us are not sleeping well. Like me, my blood pressure is rising.”

While sharing in their grief, the parents also raised concerns about the continued closure of the school and appealed to the state government to consider the impact on other pupils.

“It’s a pathetic case. Putting myself in the parents’ shoes, of course, I may have done worse. I don’t even know which way to turn. Changing schools for my daughter right now is costing me a lot. It is very expensive, but we are not trying to monetise their pain.

“But we are pleading for the teachers here who will be out of jobs. Closing the school is going to put us in a very big problem. I’m not saying they shouldn’t do what they want to do, but we are asking for mercy at this time,” another parent said while fighting back tears.