Seyi Odewale
The Chrisland School in Lagos has said the late 12-year-old Whitney Adeniran, its student who slumped and died during a sports event, was ill 20 days earlier. The late girl’s mother, Mrs Blessing Adeniran, had accused Chrisland of negligence after Whitney died on February 9, adding that the school made no provision for emergency response at the event, hence didn’t administer first aid.

She also said the 12-year-old had no pre-existing heart condition despite the doctor’s allusion to a cardiac arrest.
But, in a statement yesterday, Chrisland said Whitney had reported “not-too-buoyant” health on January 20. The school said it opted to take Whitney to a health centre, and not a hospital, based on proximity considerations.

The school said: “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,” the school’s management said.

“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 not-too-buoyant health, and we immediately contacted her parents.”
It added: “Her father, 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 to her.”

The school dismissed allegations of any foul play in the student’s death while citing that she slumped in public.

Meanwhile, 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, Whitney Adeniran.

A release signed by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo said the closure was ordered pending the outcome of a full investigation into the incident.

She commiserated with Mr. and Mrs. Adeniran parents of Whitney and prayed for the repose of her soul.

“We also note the impact of this unfortunate event on family, friends and acquaintances of Whytney and call for calm as we assure that no effort will be spared in investigating the incident,” the Commissioner stated.