School bus tragedy: Ugwuanyi immortalises deceased pupils, gifts school 18-seater bus
The governor of Enugu State, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has immortalised pupils and teachers of Presentation Nursery and Primary School, Awgu, who died in a recent auto crash that involved their school bus and a Low-Bed truck that lost control and rammed into it at Awgu, in Awgu Council Area of Enugu State.
The governor, who also donated an 18-seater bus to the school, announced this at the school premises during a special requem Mass organised by the Catholic Diocese of Awgu, owner of the school, in honour of the deceased.
The governor had led a special state government’s delegation to join the church, families, friends and well-wishers of the deceased pupils and other victims of the author crash to bid them farewell.
It was gathered that the school, which is managed by the Daughters of Divine Love (DDL) Congregation, lost eight pupils, the school bus driver, Chukwu Basil, and a teacher, Emmanuella Chukwugbo, in the unfortunate incident.
It was gathered that the mishap also claimed the lives of two roadside motorcycle mechanics that operated near the crash scene.
Describing the eight pupils as angles, while biding them farewell, governor Ugwuanyi said that his administration was saddened, devastated and overwhelmed by grief and “the eventual realisation that we had lost eight young innocent school children, one teacher and the school bus driver to this tragedy”.
The governor added: “Our children; our angels; have gone too soon and too suddenly; for no fault of their own.
“They were too innocent to have offended anyone; too young to have known sin. They only attended the day’s school to acquire knowledge and high moral values
“Yes, they were on their way home, to unite, as usual, with their beloved parents and siblings; a journey home that was never completed; what a tragedy!
“As Christians, we submit to the will of the most High God, who alone knows why it happened.
“We accept our faith and find consolation in the conviction that our deceased angels are early arrivals in heaven; already seated in the midst of the heavenly host, praising God and glorifying his name”.
Ugwuanyi, who had earlier visited other recuperating victims of the crash at their hospital beds however, registered the official condolences of the state government.
“Our condolences to the families of the deceased and our solidarity to the Catholic Diocese of Awgu, and we pray for divine healing and quick recovery of the injured,” Ugwuanyi said.
He announced a donation of a brand new 18-seater bus to the school and promised to erect a monument at the scene of the accident to immortalise the school children.
Ugwuanyi also appreciated those that had rushed to the accident scene to assist the victims, adding that such quick intervention and efforts of several others had helped to reduce the casualty figure.
Earlier in his sermon, the Catholic Bishop of Awgu Diocese, Most Rev John Okoye had consoled the families of the victims and urged them to take solace in God.
The bishop thanked Ugwuanyi for his support and solidarity adding: “The governor did not only call to console us that fateful day, but he sent his deputy to us the next day; and as soon as he concluded his meeting with other South East leaders, on Friday, he physically made his way to the Teaching Hospital to empathise with the survivors and paid their medical bills.
“Your gestures touched us very deeply and we cannot forget them”, the bishop said.
Dignitaries at the event include the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev Dr Callistus Onaga; the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev Prof. Godfrey Onah; the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev John Obodo; the Anglican Bishop of Awgu/Aninri, Rt Rev Benson Chukwunweike; and the Chief Whip, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon Mrs Jane Eneh.
Others are the Commissioners for Education, Prof Uche Eze; Science and Technology, Sir. Obi Karma; Culture and Tourism, Hon Ugonna Ibe; the Chairman of Awgu Local Government Area, Hon Pedro Nwankwo among others.
