Drown UNILAG students: Elegushi announces closure of beach

In honour of the two drowned students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, and towards improving the safety and management standards at the beach, the Elegushi Royal family of Ikate Land and owner of the facility, has announced the official closure of the beach.

Addressing a briefing on behalf of the family at the Elegushi Palace in Lekki yesterday, the Asiwaju of Ikate Land, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, while condoling with the families of the late students, noted that apart from the support already accorded the families of the deceased up till the time of their burial, the management of the beach deems it right to close shop in their honour.

He, however, refuted the claim that the death of the victims was caused by the poor safety facilities at the beach, saying every necessary safety measure including the provision of lifeguards, flags as well as security and ambulances were usually on ground at the beach.

He said: “We may not have the best practices when it comes to beach management, but I can tell you that the safety measures at the Elegushi beach will be difficult to come about anywhere else around. This is evidenced by the prompt response of our lifeguards who quickly dived into the water to rescue the victims. None of them died on the spot as being peddled around.

“Two things happened and it is unfortunate that we may have to reopen wounds here again; the red flag was on as at the time the victims were going for swimming and our guards did warn them, but they insisted. Apart from that, immediately they were rescued, rather than allowing the experts to do their recovery work, their friends hijacked them from our team and drove them away. It is very sad and we once again commiserate with the family. ”

He noted that many horses are on ground at the beach for surveillance, adding that henceforth, apart from abolishing touting completely at the beach, the management is working towards bringing on board insurance system that would cover any form of accident recorded, saying safety of life and property is highly respected by the family.

It would be recalled that the duo of Adesola Ogunmefun and Funmilayo Odusina, who had joined their friend, identified simply as Bolu, to celebrate her birthday on Sunday, June 5, were submerged by strong tides which swept them into the Atlantic Ocean.

But in his reaction to the development few days ago, the State Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Mr. Ade Akinsanya, had alleged that recklessness on the part of the management of the hotel had led to the unfortunate incident, adding that the government would thenceforth mete out heavy punishment to any operator that fail to comply strictly with the standard safety measures.

Meanwhile, the family has noted that the development is an eye opener towards improving the standard, saying while awaiting the proposed investigation by the state government, the family has saddled some individuals the responsibility of looking round the world to learn about the beach and resort management.