…in response, Wisdom Gate expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating that immediate medical attention was provided.
RIVERS, NIGERIA- The iNews Times| The tragic death of two-year-old Winnie Akakue at Wisdom Gate International School, Campus 1, Eligbolo, has sparked widespread grief and outrage, with her family demanding justice and transparency.
Winnie’s father, Dr. Iasuaka Akakue, recounted that the school informed them their daughter had been asleep in class when a bookshelf allegedly collapsed on her. A preliminary briefing from the pathologist indicated that the child suffered a fractured skull.
He expressed concern that the family was only notified after the school had already taken the child to two medical facilities. At the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), doctors reportedly confirmed she was brought in dead.
The grieving father further alleged that the scene of the incident had been tampered with, claiming the bookshelf was moved and the area cleaned before any independent assessment. He also accused certain individuals of pressuring the family to accept a quick burial and out-of-court settlement.
Dr. Akakue criticised the police investigation, alleging bias and a lack of transparency. He insisted the family had not been properly briefed on the autopsy report despite repeated follow-ups and said authorities appeared more focused on resolving the matter quickly than uncovering the truth.
“We want justice for our daughter, to at least lay her to rest knowing what truly happened,” he said, confirming that the family is preparing to seek legal redress.
Winnie’s mother, Mrs. Chinyere Akakue, described receiving conflicting information from the school. She said she was initially told her daughter was alive, only to arrive and find her lifeless.
“I looked at her… she was already cold,” she said, recalling the painful moment.
A legal practitioner, Chetam Nwala, called for decisive action, urging authorities to shut down the school pending a thorough investigation and ensure accountability.
In response, Wisdom Gate expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating that immediate medical attention was provided and that it has been cooperating fully with investigators. Management maintained that no information has been withheld and that internal reviews are ongoing to strengthen safety measures.
The Rivers State Government has since ordered the immediate closure of the school following an independent review. The Commissioner for Education, Peters Nwagor, said the institution would remain shut until all concerns are addressed, reaffirming the government’s commitment to enforcing strict safety standards.
However, Wisdom Gate proprietress, Toyon Obikoya, appealed for reconsideration, noting that the closure is affecting other pupils and families. She insisted the school acted in good faith and had made efforts to reach the bereaved family through community and religious leaders.
Some parents also expressed concern over the disruption to their children’s education, calling for compassion while acknowledging the family’s pain.
As investigations continue, the case has raised broader concerns about safety standards in Wisdom Gate and the need for accountability when tragedies occur.
