FGC sex scandal 'an attack on morality'

• Published date: 12 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Six pupils of the Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos, who were expected to be the much-vaunted 'leaders of tomorrow', recently had the bravery to jump the school's fence, went to lodge in a hotel to satisfy their fleshly lust.

The discovery was made when a roll call was done by the school officials, and to their chagrin, some pupils were missing in their hostels. Further investigation has shown that the six pupils went for a sexual jamboree.

It was not the first time this untoward act would be happening in schools. Last year, some pupils of Chrisland School, a private institution, engaged in sexual misconduct in a viral video. They had gone to Dubai for the World School Games, when they engaged in the filthy show.

The Federal Government College, Ijanikin Principal, Mrs. Tofunmi Akamo, noted that the pupils had been suspended while debunking claims that one of the girls was pregnant. According to her, the incident happened only once and there were no attempts to do any cover-up.

Akamo, in a telephone chat with The Nation, said the pupils remain suspended and that the Federal Ministry of Education would wade into the matter. She said any additional punishment for the pupils would come from the ministry, having reported the matter. She said the ministry has guidelines on how to deal with such an issue.

When asked if the suspension would be the end of the issue, she said: 'I don't want to over-flog the issue. The Ministry of Education is aware and if there is any further thing to do, it is at its discretion. They have the guidelines to address such issues; it is not only in my school.'

As at the time The Nation visited the college, last week, the school gate was locked and no activity was ongoing around the vicinity.

NAPTAN: it is saddening and unfortunate

Expectedly, the act has drawn flak from the public. In an interview, the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) condemned the act. Its Deputy National President, Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, described the incident as 'saddening and unfortunate'.

He blamed social media for moral decadence among youths. He noted that social media use should be controlled and regulated.

Ogunbanjo admonished the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to promulgate policies to regulate social media use.

He said: 'It is saddening. Something like this happened when some Chrisland pupils went to Dubai last year. Though Chrisland is a private school, it is rather unfortunate this has happened again in a government school. Since the pupils jumped the fence, the school management should introduce stricter disciplinary measures to avoid a recurrence.

'Then, every night, the school should do roll calls to know those who are in the hostel and those who are not. The housemasters and mistresses have a lot to do also.

'The principal should also supervise them on a regular basis.There should be regular updates on...