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Anambra students afraid to sleep after lightning killed schoolmates; receiving post-trauma treatment: Principal

“They are afraid to sleep in their bunks, and they are living in clusters because the trauma was much on them.”

• November 15, 2023
Tansi International College (credit: facebook)
Tansi International College (credit: facebook)

The management of Tansi International College, Awka, says it has commenced post-trauma counselling sessions for its students following the recent deaths of three students in a lightning strike at the school.

Fidelis Izuako, the college’s principal, disclosed this on Wednesday when he received the leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra Chapter, which paid a condolence visit to the school.

Mr Izuako said the lightning strike accident left an indelible scar on the school.

“We are having general post-trauma counselling for the students because immediately after that incident happened, they became afraid, especially the classmates of the victims. They are afraid to sleep in their bunks, and they are living in clusters because the trauma was much on them.

“But we have psychologists who have been coming to talk with them and helping them to overcome the shock and their fears,” he said.

Mr Izuako said the six students who survived the strike had fully recovered and are currently with their parents to enable them to regain full confidence and become completely reintegrated.

According to him, the six students will undergo personal counselling when they return to school. He lauded Nigerians, especially the body of sports writers, for their solidarity with the school.

SWAN chair in Anambra, Chimezie Anaso, condoled with the school management and parents of the deceased.

Mr Anaso lauded the college for its commitment and contributions to sports development in Anambra and other parts of Nigeria.

“We urge the college not to allow the unfortunate incident to discourage them from engaging in sports activities or cause students to withdraw from developing their psychomotor domains,” Mr Anaso said.

Lightning struck the school’s football pitch on November 4 while students were playing in the rain, hitting nine of them and leaving three dead.

(NAN)

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