Sir: The sudden drowning and death of the three-year-old son of Nigeria’s ace musician, Davido, has left a very sour taste in the mouth. It is unbelievable that a little boy who marked his birthday just a few days before his life was lost due to unavoidable circumstances.
Ifeanyi was said to have been abandoned by his parents who were out of town. The thought of the little boy he said, he said he was going out to make a phone call when the little boy left the building without realizing it, headed to the pool where no one could see him, then entered the swimming pool without realizing it.
The whole story is as condemnable as it is horrific. Common sense dictates that where young children are involved, special care is needed because of their vulnerability, even if they are not in an environment with tempting facilities.
So, the first rule is that the boy should not be left alone for a moment, unless someone is on the ground to watch his actions and movements. So, even if the nanny wants to call, what’s to stop her from holding the boy she works with in one hand, or making sure the door is firmly locked to keep him out?
And when this didn’t work out, and he was left with the chef, why couldn’t the chef bridge the gap by bringing the little boy just to make sure he wasn’t alone?
However, the mistake of two careless domestic staff has led to an avoidable disaster and the adorable little boy is not only a victim but also a lesson to other parents.
The best guardians of children are their parents, and no one should make the mistake of abdicating the role of parents to those who are only interested in the salary and not the responsibility they carry.
It is unfortunate that Ifeanyi had to leave the way he did, but despite his death, apart from teaching every parent a great lesson, he also left an indelible mark as the most sympathetic child ever recorded in the history of Nigeria. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
• Jide Oyewusi, coordinator of Ethics Watch International, Lagos.