•With necessary facilities at the Elegushi Beach, the students who died there might have been saved
They were young. They were beautiful. They were brilliant. They were ambitious. They had a great future head of them. Tragically, however, the duo of Miss Funmi Odusina, aged 24, and Adesola Ogunmefun, aged 27, had their lives cut short and their lofty dreams prematurely truncated at the Elegushi Beach in Lagos on the evening of Sunday, June 5. The two post-graduate students of the University of Lagos were at the beach to join in the celebration of a friend’s birthday when they were swept away by a strong tidal wave into the Atlantic Ocean. While Adesola Ogunmefun was reportedly brought out dead by local divers, Funmi Odusina is said to have been rescued alive but later died as a result of delay in getting an ambulance to convey her to a hospital.
This is another sad indication of how cheap life has become in the country and how valuable lives are lost daily in painfully avoidable circumstances. Both of the deceased graduated in 2011 from the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, where they studied International Relations. They gained admission into the University of Lagos for higher studies in International Relations and Diplomacy and were about to earn their Master’s degree when tragedy struck and their sun set all too soon at the bright noon of their lives.
This incident raises serious questions about the safety standards on our beaches, not only in Lagos but across the country. Beaches in all parts of the world attract large numbers of people in search of fun, relaxation and an opportunity to savour one of the beauties of nature. They can help to promote recreation, boost tourism and stimulate economic growth. Nigeria is no exception. But the relevant authorities have a responsibility to ensure that all beaches, public and private, are rigorously regulated and strictly monitored to maintain high safety levels in order to guarantee the security of their patrons’ lives.
Friends and relatives of the deceased girls have alleged that the deaths could have been avoided but for the absence of safety measures and facilities like life guards, life jackets for those incapable of swimming, patrol units, emergency medical units, professional rescue teams and wave alarm systems, among others. There is no reason, for instance, why the management of the beach could not produce leaflets offering safety tips and advice to patrons. There are claims that loss of lives is a regular occurrence at the beach. We call for a thorough investigation of this incident by the appropriate authorities to ascertain whether or not it was a case of criminal neglect so that sanctions can be imposed on anyone found culpable. This is particularly so because a beach like Elegushi is a private facility and those who patronise the place pay to do so. They must enjoy full value for their money, including assured safety.
However, this issue goes beyond the Elegushi Beach incident. We urge the Lagos State Government and indeed all other aquatic states in the country to undertake a census of all beaches within their jurisdiction to ensure that they are organised and managed in the most modern, efficient, and safety conscious ways possible. This will also entail more effective government regulation and monitoring of such facilities. Equally important is heightened public enlightenment of the citizenry not just at beaches but also all other highly patronised recreational facilities including hotels, eateries, night clubs, cinemas and shopping malls, among others.
We pray that the souls of the deceased girls, who were buried in Lagos on Friday, rest in peace and that their loved ones are granted divine strength and comfort to bear the loss.
END
Be the first to comment