THE Deputy Director at the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Jubril Yakubu, has informed a Lagos High Court in Ikeja that the late Chrisland School Girl, Whitney Adeniran, had visited the hospital on Jan. 20, 2023, and had attended school on Feb. 1, 7, and 9 to partake in inter-house sports activities.
However, he mentioned that she decided not to participate on the actual day of the inter-house sports event.
During cross-examination by Demola Animashaun, the counsel for the fifth defendant, Chrisland Schools, the witness was asked if he knew that Whitney Adeniran did not take part in the activities on the inter-house sports day.
The Lagos official confirmed this adding that she had not been compelled by the school to participate.
Yakubu stated that issues regarding emergency measures were not under his jurisdiction, emphasizing that having nurses present at the inter-house sports event should be part of the school’s emergency preparedness plan, not just for immediate emergencies.
He also mentioned his authority to speak on emergency signals based on a fact-finding meeting conducted with the school.
Additionally, when asked about the number of schools in District Six as of Dec. 31, 2023, he spoke of his responsibility for over 1722 schools approved by the Ministry of Education, focusing on social services within District Six.
While acknowledging his lack of knowledge regarding the exact number of students at social risk exposure in District Six, Yakubu highlighted the importance of each school appointing a designated safeguarding and child protection officer from its staff.
He also referenced Tawa Sodiq, a school social officer in District Six who reports to him.
Following his testimony, Justice Oyindamola Ogala dismissed the witness and scheduled the continuation of the trial for June 13.
