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July 5, 2022

July 5, 2022July 5, 2022 IFMNEWS

Lagos Government Shuts School Over 5-Yr-Old Pupil Who Drowned

The Lagos State Government has announced the closure of a school owned in the state by the Redeemed Christian Church of God over the drowning of a five-year-old pupil, Chidera Eze.

The pupil had reportedly drowned in May during a swimming lesson organized by the school at a private facility in the Ikeja area of the city.

A statement by the Lagos state government noted that further investigation into the school revealed that it was yet to complete its registration, and therefore, not yet an approved school.

The statement which was signed by the Commissioner for Education, Folasade Adefisayo, also talked about an administrative investigation of its operations and procedures as well as the conduct of its officials – in line with schools’ safety standards and guidelines.”

She said the police are also investigating the matter.

Adefisayo noted that the school would remain closed, “pending an administrative investigation of its operations and procedures as well as the conduct of its officials – in line with schools’ safety standards and guidelines.

“The investigation is sequel to the death of a five-year-old pupil, who is suspected to have drowned during a swimming lesson while in the custody of the school. The police are investigating the matter.

“A preliminary probe by the Office of Education Quality Assurance of the Ministry has shown that the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Ogba, is yet to conclude its registration and is, therefore, not yet an approved school.

“The Ministry is concerned about the safety of the pupils, hence the need for intervention. The school will remain closed until all the required approval processes are concluded.

“Parents are advised to note the closure and wait for the conclusion of the administrative investigation.”

NAFDAC Shuts 10 Water Factories In Ondo

Ten packaged water enterprises in Ondo State have been sealed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) due to non-compliance with the rules and requirements.

This information was provided in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Akure by Mr. Benu Philip, the NAFDAC State Coordinator for Ondo.

According to Philip, the impacted businesses, which are dispersed around the state, had their locations blocked between January and June.

He clarified that all of the impacted businesses were manufacturing in an unsanitary atmosphere and using licenses that had expired.

“In addition to locking the facilities, the companies will pay an administrative charge for late renewal of their registration licence and submit necessary documents for the renewal process,” he said

The license granted is not permanent, according to Philip, who added that renewal intervals should be maintained to prevent regulatory pause.

He encouraged Nigerians to constantly check sachet and bottled water for the NAFDAC registration number, batch information, and date marks.

“Our mandate, specifically, is to ensure, regulate and control the manufacturing of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and chemicals, which we refer to as regulated products.

“What we do in Ondo State majorly is to engage the stakeholders to keep them abreast of our mandate, to ensure that they follow the rules.

“Most of the packaged water, popularly called “pure water”, that I know of in Ondo State since I came on board, have been operating with expired licence.

“The licence is the marketing authorisation that enables you to sell your product in the market as verified and safe for consumption.

“Once you have that number on your certificate, it shows that you have gone through the regulatory processes to ensure that you make safe products to the consuming public but it is not forever; it has a timeline,” he said.

He said the agency will continue to collaborate with other agencies to ensure its set goals and targets were achieved.

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA