The Lagos State Ministry of Education has shut down Dowen College Lekki Phase 1 indefinitely to allow for investigations into how one of its pupils, Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, died under allegedly controversial circumstances on Tuesday.
The closure follows a visit by the Education Commissioner Mrs Folasade Adefisayo and other top officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Education to the school on Friday.
The boy’s family claimed he died as a result of injuries he got from being beaten by fellow pupils forcing him to join a cult. But the school claimed he got injured while playing football.
A statement by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Ganiu Lawal, reads:
“The Lagos State Government has ordered the indefinite closure of Dowen College, Lekki , pending the outcome of an investigation into the death of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, a student of the school.
“Commissioner for Education Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo announced the closure after a meeting with the School Management and Staff.
“The Commissioner called for calm, saying no effort will be spared in getting to the root of the incident.
“The Commissioner, in an earlier statement, commiserated with Sylvester’s family.
“Lagos State Government sends its condolences to the Parents of 12-year-old Sylvester Oromoni Jnr.,a student of Dowen College, Lekki.
“The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, notes that this incident is shocking and the State is indeed sad about this great loss.
“The State Government is in touch with the parents in this difficult time.
“We reassure the family of the late Sylvester Oromoni Junior and Lagosians at large that efforts are being made to unravel the circumstances leading to his demise, even as we reiterate the Government’s commitment to Child Protection.”