The Nigerian Senate passed a resolution on Monday calling upon the Federal and State Ministries of Education to promptly conduct a risk assessment of school facilities to identify potential hazards and vulnerabilities, with the aim of implementing mitigation measures.
This resolution was reached following a comprehensive debate on a motion titled, “Urgent Need to mandate schools to locate their Creche and Nursery Classes to the ground floors of their high-rise buildings and implement safety protocols.”
Sponsored by Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who represents the Lagos West Senatorial District, the motion expressed deep concern regarding the tragic death of a toddler named David Etim Udo on October 24, 2023, at the Emerald International School in Aba, Abia State.
Senator Adebule highlighted the unfortunate incident in which the young child fell from a high-rise building within the school premises, resulting in his untimely demise. He stressed the need to address safety concerns in schools, particularly for infants and toddlers in Creche and Nursery classes across Nigeria.
The motion acknowledged the occurrence of accidents, including falls from multi-story school buildings, which often lead to injuries, permanent disabilities, and, in some cases, fatalities.
Senator Adebule emphasized the urgency of establishing safety guidelines for schools, citing the heartbreaking case of David Udo as a poignant example.
Following deliberations by other lawmakers, the Senate endorsed the resolution and urged the police to initiate an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic fall and subsequent death of baby David Udo.
In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the motion’s sponsor and observed a minute of silence in honor of the young victim.
Subsequently, the Senate approved a motion urging both Federal and State Education ministries to enforce comprehensive safety protocols within educational institutions.