Tragedy struck in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital on Wednesday 31st May, 2017 as a pupil of Paragon International School, Oke Aregba, Abeokuta, identified as Eniola has been confirmed dead, while her mother and sister escaped death following a flood that swept away their car following an early hours downpour in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
We gathered that Eniola and her sister were brought to school by their mother in her car with registration number Lagos BDG 460 EA before they were washed away by flood in front of the school gate with their car.
While two of the pupils were lucky and rescued almost immediately the incident happened, Eniola was not lucky enough as it took the search party about 30minutes before she was rescued and was rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta for treatment before she gave up the ghost.
Speaking on the incident, residents of Oke Aregba, who spoke with our correspondent appealed to the Ogun State government to reconsider the approval given to the school, claiming that the school is located on flood plane in the area, saying the incessant flood in the area has led to loss of lives and injuries to many students of the school.
Chairman of Oke Aregba Community Development Association, Mr. Owolabi AbdulAkeem said since government had granted approval for the school proprietor to build the school in the flood prone area, there is nothing the community could do to prevent him.
“At least, some people came from relevant government agencies that have something to do with building and approval. They saw the terrain that it is a flood prone area before granting him approval to build the school. What do you want us to do in such situation?”
He called on the government to come to the rescue of the innocent lives being lost due to the blockage of water way by the school.
Another resident of the area, Mrs. Yinka Badmus told us that flood had washed away many pupils of the school in the past and urged government to revoke the approval granted the school to erect structure on flood prone area.
Vice principal of the school, Mr. Adekunle Oluyinka while speaking said the school had spent millions of naira to re-channel the river that faced the school, noting that the accident was under control. However, proprietor of the school, Mr. Olumide Lawrence has declined to comment on why the school is cited on the flood plain.
Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Modupe Mujota while reacting to the incidents said: “I am not aware of this. However, the experts on location and topography is not the Ministry of Education but Urban and Physical Planning.”
– Wale Adewunmi, Ogun Sate Correspondent