Flood fear: Anambra parents keep children at home

Fear of another tragedy discouraged many parents and guardians in Awka, Anambra State capital and environs from sending their children and wards to school on Tuesday.

This is following a heavy downpour that began around 4 am and persisted for hours.

The apprehension came exactly one week after a six-year-old pupil of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, Success Ezenwafor, was swept away by floodwaters while travelling to school in a bus.

Success was on the bus with about eight other occupants when the vehicle was caught in the floodwaters.

While the other occupants were rescued, Success was swept away. His lifeless body was recovered the following day.

Apparently still traumatised by the tragedy, some parents on Tuesday decided not to take chances as another heavy rain descended on Awka and neighbouring communities.

The situation also prompted a warning from a journalist and public affairs commentator, Mr Jude Atupulazi, who urged parents to put the safety of their children ahead of school attendance.

Atupulazi, recalling the tragedy of the previous Tuesday, said: “Exactly this time last week, this boy was trapped in a flood with two of his siblings and others in a bus before finally being swept away. It’s another Tuesday, and it’s been raining.”

“Parents, please check your environment and the route your kids take to school. If it is not safe, let them stay at home,” he warned.

A parent, who spoke with our correspondent, said the death of Success was still too fresh to ignore.

“After what happened last week, nobody should blame a parent for keeping a child at home when there is this kind of rain,” the parent said.

Another parent said, “The child can make up for missing one day of school, but you cannot replace a child who is lost to flooding.”