By Magnus Emuji
EFFURUN/Nigeria: Delta State Government (DTSG) has presented the sum of ₦18,000,000.00 cheques o the families of eleven affected pupils of Army Day Primary School, Effurun who were involved in an accident that occurred on July 8, 2021.
The presentation of the donation was held at the Army Day Primary School, Effurun in Uwvie Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, the State Commissioner for Primary Education, Chief Sunday Onoriode recalled that the ghastly accident claimed lives and left several others injured.
Chief Onoriode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, stated that the memory of the sad event would remain with the state for a long time to come.
He said that the State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa had graciously approved the presentation of some financial support to the affected families with the sum of ₦2,000,000. 00 to the family of each deceased child, adding that the sum of ₦1,000,000.00 was given to the family of each injured child.
Chief Onoriode said that the gesture was not compensation for the levels of damages inflicted on the families but an effort by the State Government to assuage the effects of the losses to some reasonable degree and to cater to some essential needs of the families of the victims.
The Primary Education Commissioner said that it was not the intention of the State Government to renew the emotional trauma which the accident brought in its wake to family members, teachers, pupils, and the state but to identify with the families affected by the accident.
Presenting the cheques, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Augustine Oghoro said that the donation was a demonstration of the fact that the State Government felt the pains of the affected families.
Mr. Oghoro reiterated that it was not compensation to the families, saying that no amount of money could bring back the dead.
In their separate remarks, the Headteacher of Army Day Primary School, Effurun, Mrs. Rachael Onoyake, the Education Secretary of Uwvie Local Government Area, Dame Chief Rose Oghene, Revd. Envag. Mathew Utuedor and Mr. Innocent Okeke both parents some surviving pupils lauded the State Government for the financial support.
In attendance were the Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs) for Uwvie, Mrs. Asini V. E, Mrs. Obiegba H.N who is the Chief Inspector of Education in Warri South, and Dr. Michael Emeshili, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education among others.
