By John Obi
The Lagos State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Smiley Kids Montessori School, located in Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo, following a tragic swimming pool accident that claimed the life of two-year-old Rapheala Ogbodo.
The announcement was contained in a statement on the government’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday.
The statement said officials from the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Office of Education Quality Assurance under the Ministry of Education visited the school to uncover the circumstances leading to the fatal accident.
“The attention of the Lagos State Safety Commission has been drawn to the swimming pool accident that occurred at Smiley Kids Montessori, Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo, Lagos, on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, which led to the death of a two-year-old female, Rapheala Ogbodo,” the statement read.
The school has been sealed off while investigations are ongoing.
The state government has expressed its condolences to the grieving family, assuring that such tragedies are prevented in the future.
According to Lanre Mojola, Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, . “This tragic loss is a painful reminder that we must prioritize the safety of children under our care. We will leave no stone unturned in investigating this incident and ensuring accountability,”
The mother of the deceased child, drew the attention of netizens to the incident She wrote “I sent my daughter to school on Wednesday, and she didn’t come back alive,” calling on authorities to ensure no family experiences such pain again.
