Elegushi Palace Closes Beach Over Death of UNILAG Students

*Explains how the duo died

By Martins Ifijeh

As part of efforts to pay last respect to the two drowned post-graduate students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Funmi Odusina and Adesola Ogunmefun, and towards improving the management standard at the beach, the Elegushi Royal family of Ikate Land and owner of the facility, has announced the official closure of the beach till further notice.

The royal family stated that despite rendering support to the families of the diseased up till the time of their burial, the management of the beach deemed it fit to also close shops in their honour.

Addressing the media on behalf of the family at the Elegushi Palace in Lekki on Sunday, the Asiwaju of Ikate Land, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, while condoling with the family of the late students, however, refuted the claim that the death of the victims was caused by the poor safety facilities at the beach.

He said that every necessary safety and precautionary measure, including the provision of lifeguards, flags, security, as well as ambulances, was always on ground at the beach.

He claimed that none of the students died at the beach because the lifeguards on ground quickly dived into the water to rescue the victims, noting that none of them died on the spot as being peddled around. “We may not have the best practices when it comes to beach management, but I can tell you that the safety measures at the beach will be difficult to match anywhere else around.”

Adesola and Funmilayo, who had joined their friend, identified simply as Bolu, to celebrate her birthday on Sunday, June 5, had been submerged by strong tides which swept them into the Atlantic Ocean.

Days after their death, the Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Mr. Ade Akinsanya, while commiserating with the families, alleged that a breach of standard safety practice by the Elegushi Beach operators caused the death of the two students, adding that the government would thenceforth mete out heavy punishment to any operator that failed to comply strictly with the standard safety measures.

Further details later