Posted by On Monday, the Nigerian Senate passed a resolution requesting that the Federal and State Ministries of Education perform a risk assessment of school infrastructure right away in order to identify vulnerabilities and dangers and promptly determine how to mitigate them.
The motion, “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,” was debated in great detail before the resolution was decided upon.
The child David Etim Udo passed away on October 24, 2023, at the Emerald International School in Aba, Abia State. Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who represents the Lagos West Senatorial District, supported the resolution, which voiced strong worries over this incident.
The legislator gave an explanation of how the deceased toddler died tragically after falling from the school’s high-rise building.
“Notes with grief, toddler David Etim Udo passed away on October 24, 2023, after falling from a high-rise building at Emerald International School, Aba,” he added.
“Additionally, the building brought the topic of school safety—particularly for young children attending Nigeria’s childcare and kindergarten facilities—to light once more.
“Aware that mishaps do happen, including falls from multi-story buildings in our schools, which can cause injuries, long-term or short-term disabilities, and occasionally even fatalities.”
The legislator called David Udo’s case pitiful and asked the Senate to investigate the issue thoroughly in order to propose safety guidelines for schools.
The resolution was upheld by the Senate following comments from other politicians, who urged the Police to promptly begin an inquiry into the events leading up to baby David Udo’s fall and subsequent death.
In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the motion’s sponsor and declared a minute of quiet for the young child.
Subsequently, the Senate maintained a prayer requesting that the Federal and State Education Ministries implement safety measures in all schools.