Water problem still an issue – Mother to late Bithia

By Elizabeth Uwandu

The Principal, Queen’s College, QC,  Yaba, Dr Bola Are has expressed delight over the school’s return to normalcy after last year’s diarrhoea outbreak that claimed three lives and had several others hospitalised.

Queens College

Recall that QC was forced to shut down after an epidemic caused by water contamination that hit the school.

Meanwhile, Mrs Susan Itulua, mother to the late Bithia, JSS 3 student among the victims who lost their lives, said that she felt sad that her daughter’s dream of being an  astronaut and Nigeria’s first woman that would travel to the moon, was cut short by the carelessness of the system in Nigeria.

Mrs Itulua who took to social media to commemorate the one year of the demise of her 11-year-old daughter noted that despite the alleged incident that happened during the era of former QC principal, Dr. Lami Amodu and Mrs Beatrice Aktumen, former Parents Teachers Association, PTA chairman; the water problem was still an issue.

Her words: “My gem: Itulua Ehinomie Bithia, born on October 8th, 2004, died on 22nd February, 2017.

Situation: Queen’s College, Yaba, water problem of January to March 2017 during the time of Dr Lami Amodu, principal and PTA chairperson, Beatrice Aktumen.

“I really miss my baby, she would have been in SS1, Science Class. I am very sure of this that her dream, which was to be an astronaut, the first Nigerian woman that will go to the moon, was cut short by the carelessness of our system (Nigeria). Who can I hold responsible? In Florida, United States of America, where they had a similar situation in a school, the government stood at attention to find a lasting solution. But in the Queen’s College case, it was swept under the carpet. Judgment is of the Lord that does not recognise your bigness or person and I await his judgment now and always,” lamented Bithia’s mother.

Mrs Itulua who appreciated the efforts of the Queen’s College Old Girls Association, QCOGA, chairman, Dr Frances Ajose; present principal, Mrs B. Are (Grandma); present PTA chairman, Chief John Ofobike; her families and friends; her alma mata, University of Ibadan and the General Overseer, MFM Worldwide, Dr D. K. Olukoya, AGO Administration, Pastor. A. Adebambo, and several others, called on QCOGA to stand up to their duty by ensuring the safety of the girls at all times.

“Old girls of the once prestigious Queen’s College, stand up for your alma mater and do the needful. The water is still a problem – why not find a lasting solution to save your school and the girl-child? Answer the call and keep the torch lighted, now and always,” charged Mrs Itulua.

On her part, Dr Are while assuring stakeholders that the school has bounced back as one of the nation’s premier secondary schools for girls, noted that the issue of water has been addressed, asserting: “We have two numbers 450ft deep industrial boreholes in addition to the 500ft deep on ground before. There is also a brand new treatment plant and sewage system.”

The principal fondly referred to as Grandma, called for support from all to ensure that the QC students were protected from immorality and lazy attitudes.

“QC is fully back on track to the glory of His Holy Name. We are now concentrating on protecting our daughters against immorality and lazy attitudes,” she said.

The parents had at the last PTA meeting prayed and promised to start “correction parenting,” added the  principal.