The Headmistress of Agbasa Primary School in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, Mrs. Ayodele Bridget Dowe has debunked the rumour making the rounds that a primary two pupil of the school, Ogheneroro Gabriel was sexually abused by unknown persons within the school premises.
Dowe debunked the rumour in a chat with DAILY POST this morning at the school’s premises following the absence of Ogheneroro who was alleged to have been sexually abused by unknown men along Hausa quarters in Warri whenever she went hawking with some Hausa neighbours for her grandmother.
Although no suspect has been arrested over the matter, Dowe said, ” Nothing like that happened here. I have not heard anything like that. There could be possibility of sexual abuse on the girl but it happened elsewhere and not in this school. We in this school handle such matters to the best of our abilities because we don’t condone evil,” adding,” if there is anything like that, we would have exposed it before you even came in.”
Dowe claimed that she on behalf of the school jointly provided school badge and other materials before admitting Ogheneroro who was brought in by an official of Education Marshal, Miss Mercy Muoboghare last year.
Dowe claimed that Ogheneroro absonded from school throughout last year.
Ogheneroro’s class teacher, Mrs. Veronica Omohiro described the nine year old girl as a “truant.”
Omohiro claimed that she asked Ogheneroro who had consistently coughed in class to go home and treat herself and return with her parents.
Omohiro also tendered a register indicating Ogheneroro’s consistent absence from school.
According to her, “in week one, we did not open. Week two, she came only one day. Week three, she came one day. Week four, she did not come to school. Week five and six, she did not come. Week seven, she came one day out of three days. Week eight, she came three times. Week nine, once. Week ten and eleven, she did not come. Week twelve, once. Week thirteen and fourteen she did not come. Continous Assessment also shows she did not do test for first term.”
Ogheneroro’s Mother, Mrs. Helen Gabriel, also in a chat with DAILY POST at her Old Welfare residence confirmed that her daughter was not sexually abused in her school, pointing out that it was in her grandmother’s place around Hausa quarters in Warri that she was allegedly abused by some unknown persons.
The mother of seven claimed that she was not aware that her daughter was abused until four days ago when she was informed by a relative, Success Ononoje.
” Nor be for here, nor be for school dem for abuse her na for her grand mama place.” “dem nor tell me oo. Na few days ago i hear the matter.I nor know anything concerning the matter. Na about four days ago one girl one girl wey dey stay their for their grand mama place dey tell. I come tell her say you know all these since nai you nor tell me or tell the papa.”
Helen stated that her daughter, Ogheneroro is no longer in school because her husband could not cater for the educational needs of the child.
Helen claimed that Roro alleged she was driven out of examination hall last term for failing to pay examination fees.
” I tell her say make she go tell her Papa but he say he nor get money to give pilkin go school. I come say no need to born children for you. Na him even make the children dey house.”
When Our Delta Correspondent visited the office of the Edumarshals in Warri, its officials declined comments on the matter.
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