To most of the parents, this came as a rude shock. 2023 BBC. Thisis a special investigative project by Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation (CNJF) in partnership with TheCable, supported by the MacArthur Foundation. Above all, although Vivian, Bithia and Praise will never be able to fulfil their dreams again in life, and their painful deaths will remain a dent on the image of Queens College and the regulatory oversight of the federal ministry of education in Abuja, there is no doubt that the current situation provides a great opportunity to clean up the mess in Nigerias unity schools in particular and the countrys education system in general. Sadly, in spite of the apprehensions of those concerned parents, Amodu continued to live in denial. Parents, old girls and activists have called on President Muhammadu Buharis administration to use the Queens College tragedy as an opportunity to prove its anti-corruption credential by making scapegoats of the officials who failed in their duties. It had been on for some time but got really bad during the tenure of Ekwutazia Osime, her predecessor who was principal between 2012 and 2015. By the time she arrived, Sussana met the doctors trying to resuscitate her. The state commissioner for health, Jide Idris, also told journalists that results of tests carried out on water facilities in the school remained unsatisfactory and the school would remain shut. A PRIVATE Yorkshire college is in a court battle with a former guardian of 30 of its Chinese students who has accused it of putting its under-performing pupils into a separate school. "Like most independent schools, Queen Ethelburga's makes use of CCTV cameras for security reasons," the statement said. Parents saw her as a woman who had successfully built a reputation of a thorough-bred professional for herself. She accused them of unjustly hating her and trying to replace her with someone from within their ranks. Getting admission for your ward at Queens College is therefore dependent not on his or her qualification but on who you know as a parent and the money you could afford to give away. Its capacity had been overstretched. Impunity is When criminals still raise their head high in the face of glaring malfeasance. WebIn 2014 89,800 was transferred to Queen Ethelburgas Collegiate, a private boarding school in York. were present in the water students were drinking in the school. Unfortunately, they said they didnt send us such errand. This was despite the fact that the lunch was supposed to be served between 2:50 and 3:30pm. Amodu is a PhD holder, and the parents believed a more cerebral principal was being posted to the school to take over from theretiring principal. 'They have had to give evidence in open court about the most vulnerable and traumatic experiences of their lives and re-live the dreadful abuse that was forced upon them many years ago when they were just children. One school singled out by consultants as particularly representative of the new wealth in boarding schools is Queen Ethelburgas Collegiate, near York. The situation in QC is same in some if not all the unity schools in the country. I believe before anyone is adjudged corrupt as a Pta Chairman the books should be looked into and the projects carried out during his or her tenor looked into by independent valuers to know if they were inflated or not. The investigation took him to three states Lagos, Ogun and Edo as well as the federal capital territory, Abuja. She died on February 15 at the General Hospital, Randle, Surulere. It was completelyabandoned. WebThe 71-year-old abused boy and girl after grooming them at Queen Ethelburga's Martin owned the school in North Yorkshire and moved it to his country estate He was jailed for However, the situation didnt get to the public then because there was no casualty. WebFounded on October 10, 1927 during the colonial era, Queens College, the oldest girls-only public school in the country owned by the federal government, was set up to complement Adamu, minister of education ministry on the spot. I believe with the second Law suit instituted against me by Mrs Mann whom I still repeat had an inordinate ambition of becoming the Chairman of Pta if she had succeeded in making the house to impeach me, the truth will come out. North Yorkshire Police said no charges had been brought. Candle in the wind: At the burial of Praise. Meanwhile, the number of sick students was far more than few. The reason pathologically wicked and opportunists persons like Amodu, Akhetuamen, Osime and Oshifala still walk around is because kind hearted folks have not stood up and added their voice to this impunity. This is really pathetic. The girls body would later be released to her uncle for burial after an autopsy was conducted. He then stunned parents by mothballing the building and moving the pupils into a new school on his own country estate at Thorpe Underwood Hall, Ouseburn, near York. She threatened that any student caught doing this would be punished, including those using phones to contact their parents and report all that was going on in the school. Umars official position was not stated in the letter. 'Devil's Disciple' serial killer, 70, who was jailed for killing three people and admitting to eight murders Supermarkets pull THOUSANDS of Cadbury dessert products over food poisoning fears. Both schools were established for the instruction of children of the elite. Her panel spoke in camera with victims and recorded their testimonies. FOR NOW, LET YOUR CONSCIENCE JUDGE YOUR STEWARDSHIP AT QC. The girls were manifesting signs of skin, vaginal and abdominal infections. Why Amodu, a mother herself, would choose to act this way still confounds parents and students who spoke to TheCable. Amodu had been appointed the executive secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in April 2007 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo even though she was relieved of that position barely four months later during the early days of the Umaru Musa YarAdua presidency. Of the 3m handed to you as pseudo-gratuity, how much is left? Like her father, Praise wanted to be a chartered accountant. When do we want it? Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Queen Ethelburgas School in North Yorkshire denies the devices were put in to monitorminor disciplinary breaches, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. All I want is for him to be asked if he ever released money for purification of drinking water after I left office this he did in bitterness that I did not follow money hungry people to campaign for him when he wanted to come into office. TheCable spoke with more than a dozen people in the aftermath of the gastroenteritis epidemic that broke the heart of a nation and for which nobody has been brought to book. They highlighted the case of a student, Busayo Adesanya, an SS2 student of the school, who could not return to the college because her mother, a widow, could not afford the various arbitrary levies. On the issue of her dress sense, Akhetuamen explained that as a fashion designer, she has no apologies for her style as she always ensures she dresses trendy to be able to attract clients. But if Vivians sudden death was not bad enough, another student of the college, Bithia Itulua, would die on February 22, exactly a week later. Majority of British public think Charles should not apologise for slavery, new poll shows, Even most republicans see no benefit in abolishing the monarchy, new poll reveals. Although Vivian had never been sick at the school prior to that time, her mum felt there was really nothing to fret or worry about. Many of them explained that their daughters had reported different forms of infections and some among them had even been hospitalised during the period the school was on break in December. To correct this, a surgery was recommended and eventually performed at the teaching hospital. When I remember all she went through before her death, I still cry, Lawrence told TheCable as he struggled, unsuccessfully, to withhold his tears. EXCLUSIVE Boss of Lib-Dem run South Cambridgeshire council which was first to introduce a four-day week is From being born a man to Queen of the Mountains: Trans cyclist romps to victory in elite women's race - Traumatised mother, 27, was 'treated like a criminal' after being investigated for child abuse over tiny Do not sell or share my personal information. When she eventually picked the call, she said she was in a meeting. A number of parents today disagree with the former PTA chairman on her financial stewardship especially John Ofobike, her successor as PTA chairman, and Julie Mann, her own vice chair who served during her tenure. However, most of the parents were surprised when Amodu, while addressing them, announced that only a few students visited the sickbay and this was as a result of the beans they were served the previous day. Because they couldnt fathom the fact of Oshifalas exoneration by the government panel on the technical grounds that his accusers failed to come to the public to prove their case, they concluded that the matter was a clear case of cover up by the school management and the ministry, a view widely shared by students and parents we spoke to. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Ofobike told TheCable that parents were not satisfied with Akhetuamens stewardship, particularly the way she spent their funds during her tenure. At the send-forth ceremony for Osime which held on March 19, 2016 at Teresa Chukwuma Hall, the main auditorium of the school, Akhetuamen announced to parents that with the safe water that will be extended to our girls, we are sure that they will not have water-borne diseases. They were afraid of being victimised. She died after being rushed to the Lagos Sate University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, following the epidemic at Queens College arising from the contamination of the schools water sources. The fire was minimal and dealt with quickly leaving some smoke damage. The circular was just what Amodu was looking for. I could have appointed a member of my administration to stand in for me if I could not. It has been observed that some parents/guardians of students under the guise of Concerned Parents, are in the habit of using social media platforms through which they spread false and negative information aimed at tarnishing the image of the Federal Unity Schools and inciting other parents/general public, parts of the letter stated. 'They have finally had justice for what they have had to endure for so long.'. You attacked Mrs. Mann, Mr. Offorbike and Even TheCable. Reacting, Akhetuamen, said the attack from her former deputy was as a result of her failure to achieve her inordinate ambition of becoming chairman of the QCPTA. Yes, the balance to contractors ought to have been paid by her excos like she said. WebThe table below features the A-level league table results of the top UK independent schools published by The Telegraph. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban can't take their eyes off each other at the Met Gala as Met Gala 2023: Paris Hilton exudes gothic glamor in leather dress and platform heels as she makes her debut British MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo 'was secretly battling bowel cancer' before he was found dead in a Mystery surrounds Jock Zonfrillo's final Instagram comment posted shortly before his sudden death aged 46: Jamie Oliver, 47, to launch new upmarket restaurant in London - four years after the collapse of his Italian Have scientists finally created a jab to keep ALL flu strains at bay? A case opened at Manchester County Court yesterday which revolves around two issues. It was a lost battle. She acted as if she was impervious to reason. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. A millionaire businessman who bought a boarding school so he could abuse pupils on his country estate with links to the Bronte family has been jailed for three years and three months. Read about our approach to external linking. WebAs Tony Little, the ex-headmaster of Eton College said, There is more to education than league tables so if you are viewing this table to help you select a school, use additional sources of information (prospectuses, agents, visits, etc.) Akhetuamen, a close ally of the former principal, gave her a controversial parting gift of N3 million on behalf of Queens College PTA. Although N3 million was given to former principal Osime as a parting gift and captured in the PTAs 2016 Statement of Accounts, only a token N100,000 was listed in the same document as having been spent in supplying drugs to the schools sickbay, a published copy of which TheCable got. However, parents who spoke to TheCable remember Osime as a very corrupt principal even though she is an expert in dousing tension and calming frayed nerves. The Osuinyis would later transport the body of their daughter to Ukpo, their hometown in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra state, where Vivian was buried in a short ceremony on February 16, a day after her death. to make an informed decision. Praise was just 14. #TeamQE Education York, United Kingdom linktr.ee/qethelburgas Joined November 2011 90 Following 2,935 Followers Replies Media Queen Ethelburga's As far as these parents were concerned, the N3 million was simply a thank you gift from Akhetuamen to Osime for the corrupt schemes they both ran in partnership. A spokesperson for Queen Ethelburga's College said Brian Martin, 66, had "stepped aside" from school matters. The sewage treatment plant installed in 1991. Success runs in the family as Olympic star's sister celebrates Cambridge place, Yorkshire student rejected from nearly 100 jobs secures dream job - as a barrister. Shows the kind of woman that she is. A week later, Bithias death occurred on February 22. They linked these to the conditions in the school and called on Amodu to take urgent actions (Amodu, in the middle of the crisis, would be transferred to Federal Science and Technical College, Uromi, Edo state by the federal ministry of education). Is climate change killing Australian wine? We are known locally, nationally, and internationally as a group of four schools that promotes the highest In conjunction with Beatrice Akhetuamen, the chairman of the schools PTA at the time, Osime was accused of setting up a huge system of milking parents dry. She also explained that Lami Amodu, the principal of the school at the time the incident happened, never called to condole with the family on the loss of their daughter, although some teachers and members of the schools PTA did. Praise died on March 30. WebIn 1991, Queen Ethelburga's School left the Woodard Corporation, became independent, and came to exist in the trust arrangement, renamed Queen Ethelburga's College. It was largely hushed up at the time, believes Lesley Hitchen, Queen Ethelburgas press liaison officer. Dec 7, 2022 Congratulations @Shrewsbury_Foot on your victory today. And even when a Good Samaritan medical officer who saw the seriousness of her case went out of her way to create one for Bithia, the absence of a paediatric surgeon at the hospital would eventually lead to her transfer to General Hospital Randle, Surulere. The team prepared and submitted its report to the director of that department. They were all involved in the deaths of those innocents., Federal Science and Technical College, Uromi Amodus new station. Kim Kardashian brings Playboy sex appeal in jaw-dropping pearl dress as she 'I saw him die': Sister of father 'crushed to death' in indoor cave says she is 'traumatised' by the tragedy Met Gala 2023 live: Kendall Jenner, Sydney Sweeney and Margot Robbie dazzle on the red carpet for the Prison worker is 'suspended' from Britain's most secure jail after 'kissing Zara Aleena's killer Jordan King Charles' Coronation LIVE: Princess Anne says the monarch has been 'practising for years', poll reveals Dr Martin Scurr: Why have I always had a runny nose for 30 years - and what can I do to make it stop? 3 children died you couldnt even say ordinary RIP, you are only interested in allegation. These were monies which were paid in cash and not receipted. Speak out when theres a need to, take steps when necessary your singular act might save lifes. Even teachers who wanted to speak out feared being sacked. Bithia was already gone. It is high time we stop thinking about the consequences of taking the right decision at crucial times. In 2009 when Praise was just eight, she lost her father, Olugbenga, a chartered accountant. Akhetuamen accused of mismanagement of PTA funds. Vivian didnt spend up to 24 hours after being placed on admission and receiving treatment at the hospitalbefore she died on February 15. This was aside the fact that the school also informed parents that it was building a website for N800,000, a sum which the parents found scandalously high and unacceptable. Ferry runs aground with baby on board after smoke in engine room, Nurses strike continues: Major disruption for NHS services in England, Additional flight to evacuate Britons from Sudan today, Ryanair cancels 220 flights over May 1 bank holiday due to strikes, Hardcore coronation fans already camped outside Buckingham Palace, One dead and seven injured in Cornwall nightclub knife attack. Its NOT a curse. In his written evidence he vehemently denied allegations that under-performing pupils were moved into the faculty. She said the allegations were from her detractors. Here is what we found. 'Despite significant investment being made in the school, all this served to do was to create an environment that Martin could exploit for his own sinister gains. We shouldnt wait until theirs a casualty to do the needful. Of course, the officials at the federal ministry of education ministry in Abuja were also complicit in the declining standards, insiders told TheCable, insisting that they looked the other way at the rot in the school even while they were aware of all that was going on in the college. On February 5 when the meeting held, it was a large house as many parents and guardians attended in good numbers. They requested her to come over to the college immediately. In view of the foregoing henceforth, the child/ward of any parent/guardian found to be using the social media to spread false and negative information or incite other parents, will be withdrawn from the College. I deeply appreciate but as a civil servant Im not allowed to talk to journalists. There is no way such woman will end well. Osuinyi was treated for the wrong ailment. A school spokesperson said Mr Martin denied the allegations. Over the years Ive had to stay mute, not challenge constituted authorities at various levels, even when it obvious that theyre not living up to expectations, engage in Unscrupulous Act of injustice capable of harming individuals, Group and killing ones moral and zeal to strive Harder out of fear of being victimized and intimidated by the powers that be but then after reading this sad story of how we lost 3 innocent girls at Queens College Lagos to negligence, corruption at low and high places and most importantly silence on the part of concerned parties , I couldnt help but hate myself for Everytime I chickened out when I ought to speak out. The achievement of my administration in Qc speaks for itself if we are not appreciated now. She responded: Thanks for taking time to ask. However Dr Zhou claims it is because he was seen as interfering with the way Queen Ethelburgas operates two separate schools, the college and the faculty. WebQueen Ethelburgas, which charges around 34,000 a year for boarders, has now removed cameras from areas used by the youngest children after inspectors ruled this was For six weeks, TheCable made several efforts to speak with the officials of the federal ministry of education in Abuja, and despite complying with all the bureaucratic demands, the newspaper was still unable to get an official response. It also ceased functioning since 1997 and was abandoned. The couple were informed the only paediatric surgeon available had closed for the day and would not be able to return to work that night. She was buried at Atan Cemetery, Yaba, on February 23, 2017. Some parents who were in attendance at the send-forth ceremony and who spoke with TheCable said at no time was a meeting of the PTA held where they unanimously agreed that their hard-earned money, which they had voluntarily contributed to the school for their childrens education and welfare, would be given away to a retiring principal who was going to collect her pension anyway, more so when there were more important things to sort out in the school for their kids. Again, while the parents expected to hear what other steps she planned to take towards controlling the epidemic, Amodu announced to the gathering that she had warned students and staff never to call parents when children were sick in the college. When Amodu took over from Osime, many parents rejoiced. From their graves, the blood of the late girls continues to cry for justice. Well I know beyond any reasonable doubt that my administration did the best for Qc within the limit resources at our disposal. For years, the Queens College Old Girls Association had complained that the state of sanitary condition in the school was terrible. VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. WebThe owner of Queen Ethelburgas School near Harrogate has been sent to prison for three years and three months for non-recent sexual abuse of a boy and a girl. Aside the poor eating and living conditions of students, the dining hall structure and furniture were squalid and decrepit. Kendall Jenner flashes her derrire and TOWERS over her sisters in massive platforms at Met Kylie Jenner looks red hot in a skintight fiery gown with a thigh-high slit and a matching two-toned robe as Met Gala 2023: Here come the Brits! Obviously, there are more blames to be apportioned over the deaths at Queens College beyond the role of the school management led by Amodu or civil servants who dont want to reveal important information to the public. She was joined by her brother Branwell, but his time there was to precipitate the crisis that led to his death. Queen Ethelburga's College is at Thorpe Underwood, between Harrogate and York, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. A former chair of governors at a North Yorkshire private school has been arrested in connection with an alleged historical sexual offence. The negligence by the school management to respond to complaints and years of decadence and rot of facilities in the college as well as the failure of officials of the federal ministry of education in Abuja in effectively and efficiently performing their regulatory and oversight functions over unity schools in the countryapparently resulted in the tragic deaths of the three girls. She wasted no time in excluding the old girls from the activities of the school and sidelining them from the scheme of things. The schools five vice principals academic, administration, special duties, junior school and student affairs were also there. She added that she had informed the schools catering department not to give beans to the children again and that what happened was to be expected in a place with many children. Also known as ruptured bowel, this is a hole in the wall of any part of the gastrointestinal tract which includes the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine which causes the contents to leak into the abdomen. Curiously, the ministry of education did not respond to the petition until two months and four days later. The school, which has pupils aged between three months and 18-years-old, rejected the claims in a statement issued The Independent. In essence, while the welfare of the students ought to be the primary priority of the water project, it was instead put as secondary. WebShannon Cudd (she/her) Sean Gallup/Getty Images. And rather than making any effort to address the apprehensions of the parents, its then director of basic andsecondary education, D. C. Uwaezuoke, said levies charged by the school management had the approval of the ministry. Because of his bitterness against me. The millionaire made a fortune in insurance and ran a string of companies including entertainment and equestrian businesses. Bithias kid sister, Jemimah, who just secured an admission to the Queens College, also informed TheCable that her elder sister wanted to become an astronaut and equally create inventions.
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queen ethelburga's college scandal