Kunle Adelabu
-Residents condemn teachers conduct
Mrs Stella Nwadigbo, a teacher at Christ – Mitots School, Isawo Road in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, who was shown in a viral video of abusing a 3 – year- old pupil, Master Abayomi Michael has been arrested.
She was seen slapping the poor boy several times because he was not able to write 61 and 62 correctly.
She was arrested following the escalation of the matter by THE IMPACT reporter who called out the Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, Council Leader, Hon. Jessica Oba and other council functionaries on the WhatsApp platform of the news medium.
Our reporter also called out the Vice Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Lagos East and the former Coordinator of the Council, Comrade Abubakar Asoro and the current NYCN coordinator in the Council, Comrade Taiwo Anuoluwapo.
Within minutes, the Council Leader, Hon. Oba and Supervisor for Education with support of the Council Chairman notified the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Owutu. The woman was subsequently arrested by the officers of the Nigerian police and that of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Corps (LNSC), after reading out her rights to her.
After reading out her rights, the teacher who was wearing Ankara gown agreed with the officers and she was later whisked away.
It was gathered that the proprietor of the school cooperated with the council and security officials when they arrived at the school.
Meanwhile, participants on the platform including teachers condemned the teacher’s conduct which has been described as barbaric, heartless and wicked.
Kunle Sopitan, a teacher in a public school in Ikorodu, speaking on the teacher’s conduct, condemned her way of teaching.
“This is a wrong way to impact knowledge. Teaching ethics and doctrine do not go this way.
“It’s absurd. Very wicked and malicious, ” Sopitan opined.
Rasaq Kabiru Babatunde, a legislative aide at the Lagos State House of Assembly said that he was unable to watch the alleged video of the poor boy’s maltreatment and said that her conduct was heartless.
“I couldn’t even finish the video. How could anyone be this heartless?
“This is beyond impacting knowledge the wrong way, that lady is wicked.”
An agriprenuer, Mrs Arinola Okeowo, described the act as wrong and a way not to raise kids.
“If you cannot teach a child like a child should be taught, just leave the profession. That is wrong in all ways and the woman deserves whatever she gets because I am sure that was not her first time.
“This is how we raise children that are timid and can’t stand for themselves.
“That was abuse and nothing more, I am shocked someone is even making a case for the woman, I am so disappointed and disgusted to say the least.”
Afolayan Anthony Segun, chairman, Ajagunro Youth Organisation in Ikorodu West LCDA, also commented:
“This is extremely cruel and unpleasant.”
A public commentator, Tayo Odesanya, who also contributed said that he too was unable to watch the inhumane video till the end and called for a death penalty for the suspected abuser.
Another teacher, Taopheeq Olorunjedalo, called for the prosecution of the teacher.
“The wicked teacher named Stella Nwadigbo must be brought to book, this is so heartless.”
Mrs Bisi Mustapha, a retired school headteacher kicked against the narrative that Ikorodu people are always involved in negative news as captioned in the viral video post. She was of the view that the school may not be a registered one.
“Why Ikorodu people? It happens everywhere!
“Thank God it’s a private school! If it’s a government school, Yeep, all the newspapers would have seen beautiful stories and the avenue to drag the government.
“I don’t think this should be a registered school! The reporter can go and do the findings. The slapping is just too much!”
Mr Adekunle Razaq Aderibigbe (ARA), a public analyst also expressed worry at the incident.
“I am just reading this and my head is pounding … Who is this troubled teacher?” he queried.
Another public commentator and active participant on THE IMPACT platform, Mr Owolabi Anifowoshe, said that most private schools in the state are not being properly monitored which is why such acts are happening.
“Most private school teachers are on that job not because of passion but because they could not get better employment.
“It is a gross abuse on the tender kid.
“Most of the private schools in Lagos are not monitored, supervised and regulated by the government.”
On his own, the Chairman, All Progressives Congres (APC, Ikorodu West LGA, Otunba Bayo Lawson, who was also called out by out reporter, also gave his update:
“I’ have visited the School. The Teacher has been suspended and the kid is fine. I saw the kid he is in good condition.
“The proprietor of the school is cooperating with the Authorities!!!”, he said.
Mr Aladé Julius Oloyede, also a public commentator in his own contribution pleaded with the local council authorities to temper justice with mercy with the suspected teacher.
He argued that teaching children can be torturing for teachers under certain circumstances.
