LAGOS SHUTS SCHOOL AFTER TWO-YEAR-OLD PUPIL'S DEATH

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The Lagos State Government has ordered the closure of Smiley Kids Montessori School, situated in Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo, after a swimming pool accident claimed the life of a two-year-old girl, Rapheala Ogbodo.

This decision was announced in a statement signed on Saturday by Kayode Sutton, Deputy Director for Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Public Education.

The statement revealed that officials from the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Office of Education Quality Assurance, operating under the Ministry of Education, visited the school to carry out a preliminary investigation into the incident.

The school has been sealed off to facilitate a comprehensive investigation and identify any lapses that contributed to the tragic incident.

The statement read, “The attention of the Lagos State Safety Commission has been drawn to the swimming pool accident that occurred at Smiley Kids Montessori, Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo, Lagos, on Wednesday, 15th January 2025, which led to the death of a two-year-old female, Rapheala Ogbodo.

“The officials of the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education have visited the scene of the accident to carry out a preliminary investigation and ascertain the root cause of the unfortunate incident.

“While the school is presently under lock pending further investigation, the state government extends its deepest condolences to the family of the victim and expresses its commitment to preventing future occurrences.

“The Director-General of the Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, stated that all school owners and caregivers must comply with safety regulations to prevent accidents in the State.

“Mojola further stated that further information would be made available upon completion of investigations into the accident.”

On Thursday a Nigerian woman, identified simply as Ella, had called for justice following the death of her two-year-old daughter at a school in Lagos.

She explained that her daughter left for school on Wednesday but did not return alive.

Meanwhile, Mr. Thomas Ayodele, Proprietor of the yet to be approved school, Mrs. Antonia Igbafe, Head of nursery class and Helen Obhodaghe, the class teacher are in Police custody for further interrogations.

Others in Police custody are Mohammed Hauwa and Mohammed Habibat, both are Care-givers and Mr. Udofia Ini-Obong, the Pool Instructor.