The father of a 12-year-old student Whitney Adeniran of Chrisland International Schools, Whitney Adeniran has demanded to know what actually happened to his daughter
Mr. Adeniran alleged that his daughter, Whitney died during the school’s inter-house sports activities on Thursday at the Agege Stadium.
“To the biggest shock of my life by 1 pm in the afternoon, I got a call from my wife that she was informed that our daughter slumped at the inter-house sport and she was rushed to the clinic, he said
“My wife was at the venue even before the event started. She was never informed or called until they have conveyed our child out of the venue before they informed her. On arrival of my wife at the health center where they took my daughter. My daughter was lying dead with her lips black and her.”
“My question is what happened to my daughter at Agege stadium? As a father, I demand answers from Chrisland International High School. I am in deep pain and sorrow right now. If you are a father you will understand my pain. My daughter is highly loved by us,” he added.
Suspecting a foul play, Mr. Adeniran called for the intervention of the Lagos State government, Federal Government, and urged the pathology department of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital to be honest with their result.
Chrisland Schools Reaction
The management of Chrisland Schools in a statement on Sunday sympathize with the parents of the deceased students said it await the outcome of an independent post mortem process.
The statement read, “The management and staff of Chrisland Schools Limited, with a deep sense of loss, announce the death of our precious student, Whitney Adeniran; whose painful exit occurred on Thursday, February 9th, 2023.
“We are heartbroken and distressed. 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 of.
“However, on discretion, we respected her decision to err on the side of caution, because on the January 20, 2023, it is in our records that she had 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.”
The school said the deceased slumped in “public view and not under any hidden circumstances,” adding that she was rushed to the nearest medical facility for first aid.
“Our immediate response was to take advantage of proximity to first-aid, by identifying the nearest medical facility to take her to, where the doctor on duty, administered oxygen and every aid possible on her,” the statement said.
Chrisland appealed to the Adeniran family to establish a scientific verification of the underlying cause of her death before her burial.
“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. This is a painful loss for all of us,” it added.
While mourning Whitney Adeniran, the management and staff of the Lagos-based school said they feel the deep pain of this loss and their thoughts and prayers are with the family.
“As we continue to uphold the sobriety of this moment, we resist any urge to join issues on her treasured memory, in media trends.
“As we 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 her painful loss,” the statement added.
Lagos State Government Orders Closure Of Chrisland School
The Lagos State Ministry of Education has ordered the temporary closure of Chrisland School, Opebi-Ikeja, following the reported death of a student of the School, Whytney Adeyemi.
In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo said the closure was ordered pending the outcome of a full investigation into the unfortunate incident.
Mrs. Adefisayo, on behalf of the State Ministry of Education, commiserated with Mr. and Mrs. Adeyemi, parents of Whytney, and prayed 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”, the Commissioner stated.
Case Transferred to State CIID
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that the incident was reported at the Pen Cinema Police Station.
He said the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Abiodun Alabi has directed that the case be transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti Yaba for discreet investigation.
LASG orders Coroner’s inquest to clear doubts
On Monday he Lagos State Government (LASG) has ordered a Coroner’s Inquest to ascertain the cause of death in the case of the late Whitney Adeniran, a 12-year-old student of Chrisland School, who died on Thursday, 9th February, 2023.
