The senate on Monday has called on the Nigerian Police to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fall and sudden death of Master David Udo.
Following the circumstances of the death of toddler David Etim Udo on the 24 October, 2023 who fell from a school high rise building at Emerald International School Aba, Abia State.
In 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. Sponsor: Sen. Adebule, Idiat Oluranti representing Lagos West senatorial district.
The motion read: “Notes with grief, the death of a toddler David Etim Udo on the 24 October, 2023 who fell from a school high rise building at Emerald International School Aba, Abia State;
“Further notes that the incident brought to the fore again the issue of safety in our schools particularly for bubbles and toddlers in Creche and Nursery schools across Nigeria;
“Aware that accidents do occur including falls from multi-floor buildings in our schools resulting in injuries, temporary or permanent disabilities and in some cases, death;
“Also aware that many of these accidents may not have been reported appropriately to the supervis authorities to cause the activation of necessary investigation and possible sanctions. The ultimate investigations to cause state policy direction that will permanently prevent recurrence of these he accidents;
“Concerned that if there are state policies or not, school operators and managers are expected to display duty care and ensure that babies and toddlers under their care are properly monitored and prevented from falling off high-rise buildings in their premises; and
“Also concerned that the case of Master David Udo is a pathetic and heart-breaking incident that requires this Senate to critically look into the safety issues and protocols in schools across the country including school building and facilities design and arrangement.
The senate further resolved to additional prayers to address the urgent situation in the country to avert future occurrence, following the:
“The Federal and States Ministry of Education to compel schools nationwide to relocate their Creche and Nursery classes to the ground floor or bungalow within the school premises;
“Further urge the Federal and States Ministry of Education to immediately conduct a risk assessment in all school infrastructures in Nigeria to identify hazards and vulnerabilities and timeously Identify means to mitigate such hazards; and
“Equally urge the Federal and State Ministries of Education to enforce safety protocols in schools as enshrined in the National Policy on Safety, Security and violence-free Schools and issuing its implementation guidelines.”
