Adenike Okunnaya, the mother of Abayomi Michael, a three-year-old boy allegedly abused by his teacher, Stella Nwadigo, has called for justice and assistance for her son.
Abayomi, who will turn four this year, is a pupil at Christ Mitots School, Ikorodu, where his mother works.
Recounting the ordeal, Adenike said the incident occurred on the first day of school resumption, Monday.
She was in her class working when she overheard a voice repeatedly instructing students to “write six.” Unbeknownst to her, her child was the victim.
“I didn’t know that my child was being commanded to write six by his teacher. Later, somebody in the school came to tell me something was happening and showed me a video of how Abayomi’s teacher slapped him severally,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion.
Adenike disclosed that this was not the first time her son had faced such treatment adding she had previously reported her son’s complaints about being beaten to the school authority, but no action was taken.
Abayomi’s plight is compounded by his family’s financial struggles. Adenike, a widow since Abayomi was barely a year old, juggles her modest income from the school with washing clothes for others to make ends meet.
“I had never instructed her to beat my son,” she said, explaining that she had only sought the teacher’s help to support Abayomi’s academics. “I want Nigerians to help me regarding Abayomi’s education. I am poor.”
The incident has sparked outrage, with calls for better child protection policies and accountability within schools. Adenike’s plea for support underscores the challenges faced by many Nigerian families struggling to provide education in the face of adversity.
