One of the prominent private schools in Lagos, Chrisland School, has been temporarily closed by the Lagos State government over Whitney Adeniran death.
Whitney Adeniran, a Chrisland International High School student in the Opebi area of Lagos, State, Nigeria’s commercial city, died during a sports event on February 9, 2023.
One Mr. Adeyemi Adeniran had cried out for justice over the death of his daughter, Miss Whitney Adeniran, alleging that the school was trying to sweep the matter under the carpet.
It was claimed that the 12-year-old student left home for the school’s inter-house sport at the Agege Stadium, but she slumped and died without the parents informed quickly about the unfortunate incident.
However, the school claimed otherwise.
Reacting to the issue, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, in a statement signed by her on Sunday, ordered the closure of the facility “pending the outcome of a full investigation into the unfortunate incident.”
The Commissioner commiserated with the parents of the deceased, praying “for the repose of her soul.”
“We also note the impact of this unfortunate event on family, friends and acquaintance of Whytney and call for calm as we assure that no effort will be spared in investigating the incident,” Mrs Adefisayo stated.
Chrisland School Management’s Reaction To Whitney Adeniran Death
Reacting to the call for justice for the deceased, Chrisland, in a statement on Sunday narrated how the student died.
“The management and staff of Chrisland Schools Ltd are heartbroken and distressed over the death of our precious student, Whitney Adeniran whose painful exit occurred on Thursday, February 9, 2023.
“Whitney was one of our Day students who opted not to participate in the inter house sports match past for reasons we were not very sure about. However, on discretion, we respected her decision to err on the side of caution because on the 20th of January, it is in our records that she complained about a not too buoyant health and we immediately contacted her parents. Her father, Mr. Michael Adeniran came to the school to take her home. We emphasized to her parents to take a critical look at her.
“It is instructive to state that Whitney slumped in public view and not under any hidden circumstances whatsoever. Our immediate response was to take advantage of proximity by identifying the nearest medical facility to take her to, where the Doctor on duty administered oxygen and every aid possible on her.
“Even as her family made funeral plans for an immediate burial, we differed politely and reiterated the need to establish a scientific verification of the underlying cause of death as mandatorily required in circumstances like this. We immediately notified regulatory stakeholders and agencies to allow for a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of the developments.
“In spite of the compelling imperatives to fill any information gaps in public space, we stopped short of making any media sensation out of this because the deceased in question was a minor and is deserving of our unqualified respect. We also prioritized according to respect to the privacy of the family and were with them consistently to mourn together.
“As parents, We feel the deep pain of this loss and our thoughts are with the family and friends of this wonderful girl.
“As we continue to uphold the sobriety of this moment. We resist any urge to join issues or trend her treasured memory on media traffic.
“As we eagerly await the outcome of an independent post-mortem process, we remain unwaveringly committed to supporting the family at this critical moment and pray fervently for the fortitude to bear this painful loss,” the statement read.
