The principal of Queen’s College, Dr Lami Amodu, who has served in the school for about two years, has been transferred to another unity school in Uro
The principal of Queen’s College, Dr Lami Amodu, who has served in the school for about two years, has been transferred to another unity school in Uromi, in the Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State and replaced by Mrs. Bola Are. This may not be unconnected with some boarding students at the college being hospitalised after contracting diarrhoea. The pupils had allegedly fallen ill after eating spaghetti and drinking water suspected to have been contaminated. The college’s sickbay was said to have been filled with sick pupils afterwards, as nurses and other care givers battled to salvage the situation. Some of the pupils, whose cases grew worse, were reportedly handed over to their parents.
Two pupils were reported to have died later, although the school’s management said neither of the deceased was among the students treated at the sickbay for diarrhoea. The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, visited the school after he received information about the incident through the school’s old students’ association. The Lagos State also sent its officials and started an investigation into the cause of the sickness. Amodu, when contacted declined comment over the incident due to its sensitive nature. She, however, said she believed her transfer was a routine posting from government. The President of the Old Students Association, Dr Frances Ajose, who confirmed the development, said a new principal has already resumed on Monday, adding that the principal appears quite competent.
“We are investigating the incident”, said Ajose. “It is a joint effort by the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Queen’s College Old Girls Association. The team is on ground and doing everything possible to tackle the problem. This includes taking samples, checking the kitchen staff and the schoolchildren that were involved. The findings will be announced by the minister of health.”
A worker in the school, who did not want to be identified, also revealed that a preliminary report from the Lagos State Government stated that the water in the school was contaminated. The source added that the hostel would be closed for proper sanitation.
He said, “The preliminary report we got was that the water has some problem. This might have resulted in the epidemic. I believe that some of the pupils, who just joined the school, might have tampered with the system. The report further added that the first victim, Vivian Osuiniyi had sickle cell anaemia. Her death has nothing to do with the school. We have decided that in order to sanitise the school, we will be sending the Senior Secondary School 3 students home after they finish their mock exams today. This will help for proper sanitation of the school and treatment of the water in the college.”
Punch
