The management of Smiley Kids Montessori School in Sangotedo area of Lagos State has expressed their readiness to take full responsibility for the death of a two-year-old pre-school child, Raphaella Ogbodo.
Raphaella died after she drowned inside the school’s pool located in Heritage Place Estate, Sangotedo, on January 15, 2025.
Reacting, the Lagos State Government immediately ordered the closure of the school.
According to a statement issued by the state government, officials from the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Office of Education Quality Assurance, under the Ministry of Education, have visited the school to conduct a preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The school has been sealed off to allow for a thorough investigation and to identify potential lapses that led to the unfortunate death.
In a recent statement signed by the school management and obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday, it was confirmed that an investigation is ongoing to unravel the real cause of Raphaella’s death.
The school added that it has taken full responsibility for the ugly incident and is cooperating with the security operatives as the investigation progresses.
The statement reads: “It is with profound sadness that Smiley Kids Montessori School announces the tragic loss of one of our preschool pupils, two-year-old Raphaella Ogbodo, who passed away following an incident at our swimming pool on January 15, 2025, in Sangotedo, Lagos.
“As an educational institution, we take the safety and well-being of every child entrusted to us as a top priority and have done so in the past 17 years of our existence.
“This heartbreaking incident is unprecedented in our history and we are devastated by this loss and extend our deepest condolences to the Ogbodo family, whose pain and grief we cannot begin to imagine.
“We take full responsibility for this incident and are cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies and government authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into it.
“In addition, we have launched a comprehensive internal review to identify areas for improvement in our safety procedures and strengthen our safeguards to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, thereby upholding our commitment to the safety and well-being of our pupils.
“Following this tragic incident, our school is under closure while investigations are ongoing.
“We sincerely apologize for the disruption this may cause to our pupils’ learning and their families’ routines, and we appreciate your understanding, and cooperation during this difficult time.
“We understand that this tragedy has raised questions and concerns among parents and the public and we remain committed to sharing updates as new information becomes available.
“In the meantime, we ask for patience, understanding, and privacy for the grieving family.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ogbodo’s family during this time of unimaginable loss.”
