Metro
MIGUEL OVOKE: MAD worries over rising cases of avoidable deaths of students
***Urges regular medical examination, extra care in food preparations
***Commends FCT Police Commissioner for swift investigation into 4-year-old Miguel Ovoke’s death
A group, Make A Difference Initiative (MAD) has expressed concern over the rising cases of avoidable deaths among pupils urging parents to ensure regular medical examinations of their wards against potential health issues to avert sudden tragedy.
The group noted that several reports across the country of sudden deaths of students facing one form or the other of disciplinary actions from their teachers should not just worry us, but cause us to take proactive medical steps.
Speaking with newsmen, Executive Director of MAD, Lemmy Ughegbe observed that “in recent times, we have heard news across the country of how students who are being whipped by their teachers suddenly collapse and die. We read report of such cases in Abaji and a similar one in Kuje. We also read similar tales from Enugu, Delta, etc. This should tell you there are health concerns that go undetected because we do not conduct medicals.”
“Schools may now need to insist that parents get medical examination done on the children every session and make such reports available to the schools. This procedure must be genuine medical in order to meet the objective. No parents should concoct it otherwise the purpose will be defeated”, Ughegbe warned.
“To this end, our initiative will be interfacing with lawmakers in an attempt to make them see a need to take legislative action towards making a law that will mandate parents to take their children for periodic medical examination. This will go a long way in curtailing the rise in avoidable sudden death “, he added.
MAD also commended the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Bernard Igweh and his team for the rapid and thorough investigation into the tragic death of Miguel Ovoke, a pupil of Brickhall School, Abuja.
The initiative also commended the management of Brickhall school for connecting with the emotion of the bereaved family and naming a resource room after Miguel to keep his memory alive despite being cleared of wrong doing through the autopsy.
Miguel’s mother had initially alleged that her son died on 24th of April 2024 as a result of electrocution at the school and mobilised friends and supporters to mount protests at the school gate.
To avert a possible breakdown of law and order and determine the true cause of death, an autopsy was ordered by the Police Commissioner at the National Hospital, Abuja on 23rd of May 2025 with representatives of the family and the school in attendance.
Ughegbe noted that “the autopsy findings revealed that Miguel’s death was caused by asphyxiation (choking) due to a meatball lodged in his lungs; a situation further complicated by his pre-existing condition of tonsillitis, which had narrowed his airway, making it more difficult for him to breathe. The autopsy cleared Brickhall school of the allegation of electrocution.”
“We applaud the FCT Police Commissioner and his men for the swift action taken to investigate this matter thoroughly. Their diligent work has provided clarity and justice in this tragic case, showcasing their commitment to transparency and public safety.”
While noting that the child’s death may have been avoidable, “our foundation extends our deepest condolences to Miguel’s family who has accepted the death of their child as “an act of God”, Ughegbe.
In light of this incident, MAD is also appealing to parents and caregivers to exercise utmost caution in preparing food for their children.
“We cannot stress enough the importance of meticulous food preparation and the careful selection of food items to avoid choking hazards. Foods such as bony fish or meat offal should be excluded from meals for young children to ensure their safety”, Ughegbe advised.
“Parents must be vigilant in preventing similar tragedies. Let us prioritise the health and safety of our children by providing them with meals that are both nutritious and safe. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for extra care when it comes to young children’s diets”, he added.
“MAD’s appeal aims to raise awareness among parents, schools and caregivers about the potential risks associated with certain foods and to promote safer practices in child nutrition. By taking proactive steps, parents, schools that provide food for the students and other caregivers can help prevent avoidable accidents and ensure a safer environment for their children to thrive”, Ughegbe emphasised.
“We urge all parents to be meticulous in preparing their children’s meals,” said Ughegbe. “Simple precautions can make a significant difference in safeguarding our children from such preventable tragedies.”
MAD called for continuous vigilance and education on child safety in food preparation, emphasising that the wellbeing of children must always come first.
The initiative decries the rising cases of avoidable deaths among pupils and urges parents to ensure regular medical examinations for their children to detect and manage any potential health issues early.
“By doing so, we can create a safer and healthier environment for our children”, Ughegbe concluded.
On the yet to be resolved case of the late 100 level student of Veritas University, Joshua Daniel-Ejigbo, MAD urged the FCT Police Commissioner and his team to urgently and professionally conclude the investigation by ensuring that the truth is unravelled.
“Parents as well as the school need closure. Unravelling the fact will go a long way to fastracking healing and having closure”, Ughegbe stated.
Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has issued a scathing response to comments made against him by Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister and former Rivers State governor. Wike had recently accused Adeyanju of being jobless, noting that the activist once sought his support in a bid to become the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national publicity secretary.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Adeyanju didn’t hold back, describing Wike as “a bully and a coward.”
He went on to criticize Wike’s character and political approach, saying, “Wike has never worked anywhere in his life. He is a serial betrayer. The only difference between Wike and Portable is that Portable does not betray people who have helped him.”
Adeyanju praised Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his recent actions against Wike, saying, “I commend Governor Fubara for dealing decisively with him. That’s how to deal with tyrants. Wike is nothing without politics.”
He further expressed his concerns over Wike’s influence, stating, “The reason why he is making so much noise and constituting a nuisance all over the place is because of our political patrimony that he loots. Clowns and charlatans like Nyesom Wike will open their mouths and criticize true activists.”
Adeyanju also highlighted the importance of citizens participating in politics, saying, “Wike wants everyone to leave politics to rogues like him. His idea of nation-building is where people like him control everything. All citizens of conscience should get involved in politics.”
The back-and-forth between Adeyanju and Wike highlights ongoing tensions within Nigerian political circles and has sparked discussions about the role of activists and the nature of leadership in the country.
***Emotional Farewell as Nigeria Mourns a Dedicated Military Leader
Amid deep sorrow and heartfelt tributes, the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, was laid to rest on Friday at the National Cemetery in Abuja.
His burial concluded two days of solemn funeral rites that began in Lagos, marking the end of an impactful military career.
The casket bearing Lagbaja, draped in Nigeria’s green and white, arrived at the cemetery around 3 pm following a funeral service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
His body was lowered into the earth at 4:41 pm after a ceremony lasting over two hours.
The event was attended by numerous dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Acting Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru, and other high-ranking officials.
President Tinubu, paying tribute, called Lagbaja’s appointment one of his most significant decisions and announced a posthumous national honor of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) for the late COAS. He urged the military not to lose hope: “Please, do not let death defeat us, and as Commander-in-Chief, I renew my pledge that the country will always support you and your families.”
General Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, echoed this sentiment, calling Lagbaja’s passing a call to strengthen the military’s resolve.
“Let us ensure his sacrifice continues to guide us as we defend this nation. We are resolved to defeat all enemies of the state, whether within or outside,” he stated.
Acting COAS Oluyede expressed personal gratitude for Lagbaja’s mentorship, sharing that he had nominated him for a national honor even while facing illness.
Lagbaja’s funeral rites began with a service of songs at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu Cantonment, on Thursday, following the arrival of his body at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from Lagos.
Lt. General Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff for over a year, having been appointed by President Tinubu in June 2023. He passed away on November 5 after a brief illness, leaving a legacy of dedication and patriotism.
A civil society group, Good Governance Alliance – Nigeria (GGA-N), has condemned the Lagos State government following an alleged invasion of former Transportation Minister Admiral Festus Porbeni’s Lekki property by state officials on Friday morning.
They called for immediate action against alleged breach of court order on Admiral Festus Porbeni’s property.
According to the group, the invasion is in direct violation of a Federal High Court order and sets a dangerous precedent for lawlessness.
In a statement issued by GGA-N representative Nathaniel Obasi, the group reported that officials from the Lagos State Special Task Force forcefully entered Admiral Porbeni’s property at Wole Olateju Crescent around 7:30 am, accompanied by heavily-armed mobile policemen.
Obasi noted that the task force allegedly beat, arrested, and detained several individuals on the premises, placing them in a police vehicle known as ‘Black Maria.’
The statement emphasized that this raid contradicts a Federal High Court injunction prohibiting any disruption at the property and disregards a recent Supreme Court ruling granting federal control over inland waterways and adjacent lands within 100 meters.
Despite Porbeni’s possession of a Federal Certificate of Occupancy, the Lagos State Task Force allegedly threatened to bulldoze structures on the property, sparking concerns over escalating conflicts between state and federal jurisdiction.
GGA-N therefore urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Inspector-General of Police, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and federal agencies overseeing waterways to intervene, asserting that the Lagos State government’s actions could lead to “lawlessness and chaos.”
According to him, the disputed property was previously invaded in 2021.
Obasi claimed that at about 7:30am this Friday, officials from the Lagos State Special Task Force, illegally forced their way into Admiral Porbeni’s property at Wole Olateju Crescent, Lekki, despite the Federal High Court order, which barred any agent from entering the premises or harassing any person at the premises.
It added the Lagos State Special Task Force accompanied by heavily-armed mobile policemen, beat up, arrested and threw staff and other people met on the property into a police vehicle called ‘Black Maria’, which they brought “for the illegal raid”.
“The officials who cordoned off the area are now threatening to bulldoze all structures on the property, in brazen breach of the Federal High Court order (FHC/L/CS/1384/21).
“The actions of the Task Force is also in disregard of the landmark ruling of the Supreme Court in January which affirmed the federal government’s exclusive control of the country’s inland waterways and all lands within 100 meters of all declared federal waterways in Nigeria.
“The question is despite Admiral Porbeni being in possession of a Federal Certificate of Occupancy (CofO), how is the Lagos State Government allowed to flout not only an injunction from the Federal High Court but also a ruling from the Supreme Court?
“The Lagos state government’s brazen disobedience of court orders is a recipe for lawlessness and chaos. We draw the urgent attention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Inspector General of Police, the Governor of Lagos State and relevant federal government agencies in charge of federal waterways in the country to the illegal raid and occupation by the Lagos State Special Task Force,” Obasi stated
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