Flood fear: Anambra parents keep children at home

Fear of another tragic incident kept many parents and guardians in Awka, the Anambra State capital, and surrounding areas from sending their children to school on Tuesday. Heavy rainfall began around 4 a.m. and continued unabated for several hours. This fear arose precisely a week after a six-year-old pupil, Success Ezenwafor, of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Primary School, was tragically swept away by floodwaters while traveling to school in a bus with eight others.

Although the other passengers were rescued, Success's lifeless body was recovered the following day. The traumatic experience appears to have left parents reluctant to repeat such a nightmare.

The situation prompted a warning from Mr. Jude Atupulazi, a journalist and public affairs commentator. Recalling the previous week's tragedy, Atupulazi urged parents to prioritize their children's safety over school attendance. "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," Atupulazi stated.

"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."

A local parent echoed Atupulazi's sentiments, emphasizing the fresh nature of the tragedy. "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 remarked. Another parent argued, "The child can make up for missing one day of school, but you cannot replace a child who is lost to flooding."

The lingering fear of another flood-related tragedy has compelled many in Awka and its neighboring communities to keep their children at home on Tuesday.