Controversy Trails Death Of Student, 12, At Dowen College Lagos
By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie and Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja, The Nation
– Parents Allege Foul Play
– Lagos State Intervenes, Begins Probe
A storm has broken out over the death of Sylvester Oromoni, a 12 year-old student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos on Tuesday..
While the family is alleging foul play, the school authorities claimed the boy got injured playing football.
Lagos State government has quickly stepped in by instituting a probe and shutting down the school indefinitely.
The incident is also drawing reactions from cross section of Nigerians.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, took to his verified twitter handle to demand justice for the deceased and his family. “We shall be failing in our duties as parents/guardians, administrators, security agencies and government if we do not get to the bottom of the case of late Sylvester Oromoni. It is beholden upon us to enthrone a safe environment in our schools. #Justiceforsylvester,”
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) on Friday asked the Attorney General, Minister of Education and the Lagos State’s Attorney General and Education Commission to jointly conduct a transparent investigation on the unexplained death of the 12 year old student.
The Lagos State government on Friday indefinitely shut down Dowen College following the controversy surrounding the death of the student.
The closure followed a visit by the Education Commissioner, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, and other top officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Education to the school on Friday.
A statement by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Ganiu Lawal, reads: “The Lagos State Government has ordered the indefinite closure of Dowen College, Lekki , pending the outcome of an investigation into the death of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, a student of the school.
“Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, announced the closure after a meeting with the school management and staff.
“The commissioner called for calm,, saying no effort will be spared in getting to the root of the incident.”
