Rivers shuts school after death of two-year-old pupil

The Rivers State Government has taken decisive action by suspending Wisdom Gate International School after the tragic death of a two-year-old pupil, Wynne Akekue. The Punch reports that the incident, which occurred on March 17, 2026, involved a bookshelf falling on the child while she was asleep in her classroom.

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The Rivers State Ministry of Education has carefully evaluated the tragic incident that occurred at one of our approved schools, Wisdom Gate International School, Campus 1, in Eligbolo, resulting in the death of a two-year-old girl on March 17, 2026.

This unfortunate event has understandably led to distress for the parents, Dr. Iasuaka Akekue and Mrs. Chinyerum Akekue, who have accused the school management of attempting to conceal crucial details about their daughter's demise. Such allegations of a cover-up only deepen the pain and distrust in the aftermath of a child's death.

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While we deeply sympathise with the parents of the child over the irreparable loss and respect their privacy during this moment of grief, we appeal to members of the public to do the same and avoid speculation.

The Ministry of Education's intervention, including interfacing with school management and conducting an independent investigation, is a necessary step in ensuring accountability and transparency. The suspension of the school's operations is a measure to ensure that all surrounding issues are thoroughly investigated and resolved before academic activities can resume. This reflects the government's commitment to upholding safety standards in educational institutions.

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As a ministry, we have interfaced with the management of the school and conducted our own independent investigations into the incident.

While the ministry sympathizes with the grieving parents, it also appeals for public respect for their privacy and urges against speculation. The focus remains on a comprehensive resolution of the incident, emphasizing the importance of safety and proper care in schools. This situation underscores the critical need for stringent safety protocols and vigilant oversight in all educational facilities to prevent such heartbreaking tragedies from occurring again.

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Consequently, Wisdom Gate International School, Campus 1, Eligbolo, is hereby suspended from operations and shall not resume academic activities until all issues surrounding the matter are fully resolved.