Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The management of Chrisland Schools Ltd has explained the incident that led to the death of one of their students, Whitney Adeniran, who died during the school’s inter-house sports activities at Agege Stadium, Lagos State, on Thursday.
Michael Adeniran, Whitney’s father, had taken to social media on Saturday night to demand a probe into the death of his 12-year-old daughter, calling on the Lagos State Government and the police to intervene in the matter.
He also demanded an explanation from Chrisland over what actually happened to his daughter, adding that she had no health condition or sickness as of the time the school bus picked her up for the event.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident saying, “the matter was reported to the police immediately after the incident occurred.”
“The case is presently at the State Criminal Investigation Department and an autopsy is going to be carried out to know the circumstances that led to her death. That’s all the update I have for now,” Hundeyin said.
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 emphasised 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 prioritised according 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.
