21st June, 2011
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulure, yesterday, visited the family of Master Lawal Buhari, the seven-year old pupil of Irepodun Primary School in Ketu who died inside the school pit toilet last Wednesday.
The Deputy Governor, who came with some of her aides to commiserate with the grieving family, expressed deep sadness over the tragedy.
“The Deputy Governor was here yesterday and she told us that she is very sorry for what happened.
“She promised us that she will come back to see us. Even though her visit has not brought Lawal back, we are very happy that she came around,†the grand father of Lawal, Mr. Sulaiman Buhari, who welcomed the Deputy Governor, told our correspondent this morning.
Adefulire yesterday also visited the dilapidated school and promised to renovate it.
“She was not happy that the school was dilapidated. She was also not happy that there was no running water in the premises and that the only borehole in school is not functional. She was also angry about the state of the toilet,†Mr. Saheed Abiola, the Parents Forum Chairman, told our correspondent this morning in the school.
Meanwhile, P.M.NEWS learnt that Engineer Fatai Oyesanya, Education Secretary in charge of the school, yesterday sent a query to the Head Mistress of the dilapidated institution, Mrs. Sotonwa Olayinka and asked her to reply within 24 hours.
“He is trying to blame her for the dilapidated state of the school. Is she responsible for the bad toilets or leaking roofs? Is she even responsible for the lack of running water, lack of electricity or collapsed fence in the school? If he has any conscience, he should allow this woman who has dedicated over 20 years of her life catering for children be. He should be sacked immediately,†one of the parents who wanted to remain anonymous said. When our correspondent visited the school this morning, a day after the Deputy Governor’s visit, things were still the same.
As the rain started to fall, students in some classrooms were moved to one side of the building where the roof was not leaking.
There was still no electricity and children found it difficult to see the bad blackboard or their exercise books because of the darkness in the classroom.
—Simon Ateba