Rivers reopens school four months after toddler’s death, family seeks justice

Wisdom Gate International School in Rivers State, Nigeria, has been cleared to reopen by the state government, four months after a tragic incident led to its closure. A two-year-old pupil, Wynne Akekue, died in March when a bookshelf collapsed on her in a classroom. The school's operations were suspended in April by the Rivers State Government, sparking concerns about safety standards in educational institutions across the state. Following a thorough investigation, the Ministry of Education confirmed that the school had upgraded its facilities and met the required safety standards, prompting the decision to lift the suspension. Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, issued a statement warning the school management to prevent any recurrence of such an unfortunate event. He reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to upholding safety standards in all public and private schools. However, the reopening comes as the parents of the deceased toddler continue their pursuit of justice. The matter is currently before the Rivers State High Court, with the school's proprietor and four management staff facing accusations of complicity in the child's death. The toddler's father, Dr. Isuaka Akekue, expressed disappointment with the government's decision to reopen the school while the legal case is ongoing. He questioned the timing, noting that his daughter had not yet been buried and the court proceedings were still active. The family is seeking justice for their daughter's death.

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The Rivers State Ministry of Education hereby announces the lifting of the suspension of Wisdom Gate International School, Campus 1, Eligbolo, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.