*The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria applauds the Lagos State Government for sealing off Chrisland Schools over the alleged child聽sexual abuse in the institution in order to allow for thorough investigations to commence immediately

Emmanuel Akosile | 绿帽献妻

Amid the festering public debates being generated by the episode involving the elite school, the National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has commended the Lagos State Government (LASG) for acting promptly by shutting all branches of Chrisland Schools in the state, following an alleged child sexual scandal among some of its students.

绿帽献妻 had reported the Lagos State Government Monday, April 18, 2022, in a statement directed that all the five Chrisland Schools within the state be closed, in view of a sex video of minor students of the school that went viral on social media platforms.

Chrisland Schools have branches at Lekki, VGC, Idimu, Festac Town and Ikeja, all in Lagos State of Nigeria.

Media sources that said the parents of a 10-year-old girl seen in the said video were insisting that she was raped while on a trip to participate in the World School Games from March 10 to March 13, 2022, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

However, the LASG stated that the closure of Chrisland Schools across the state is to allow for proper investigation.

The State Government also said: 鈥淭he attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to the alleged sexual violence case involving students of Chrisland Schools which occurred in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

鈥淚t is pertinent to note that all allegations are being investigated by the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, including Ministry of Education, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Ministry of Justice and the Lagos State Domestic & Sexual Violence Agency, whilst the criminal allegations have been escalated to the Commissioner of Police.鈥�

The statememt added: 鈥淚n view of the allegations, we are committed to ensuring that adequate medical and pscyho social support is provided.

鈥淭his is to reassure members of the public of the State Government鈥檚 commitment to safety and child protection, especially in ensuring that all child-centered institutions within the state, formulate and implement policies and systems that are compliant with the Executive Order (NO.EO/AA08 of 2016), Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Programme.鈥�

LASG鈥檚 decision is a right step in the right direction 鈹�Ogunbanjo, NAPTAN President

Reacting to the Lagos State Government鈥檚 action, Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, Deputy National President of the NAPTAN, applauded the government for the swift move.

Describing the LASG鈥檚 decision as a first and right step in the right direction, Chief Ogunbanjo, however, expressed sadness at the development, which according to him, is not in anyway a rape case, as claimed by the mother of the suspended pupil in the viral video.

He told NAN: 鈥淚 fully support the step taken by LASG; the schools should remain closed. I trust the Lagos State Commissioner for Education in ensuring that thorough investigations commences immediately.

鈥淗onestly, it is a shame and a very sad one. I have watched the video and from what I saw there, it is as a result of poor parenting, indiscipline and improper counselling on sex education.

鈥淭here is also administrative deficit, because even though they are children, boys and girls are not supposed to be together in same hotel room, as seen in the video.鈥�

Ogunbanjo further condemned the approach of the Chrisland Schools鈥� Management on the development, adding, that March this year, they ought to have informed their parents and carried them along straightaway.

He stressed the need聽 for the issue to be addressed properly, as most people are likely to have negative impression about Chrisland Schools, with over the seven branches of the Schools across the state.

The Deputy National President NAPTAN also noted: 鈥淭he case of late Sylvester Oromoni of Dowen College, Lekki, is still fresh in people鈥檚 memory and now this one, all in private schools.

鈥淚 mean it is聽 disheartening, considering the ages of the students involved.鈥�