SAN FRANCISCO, June 19, (THEWILL) – The Elegushi Royal family of Ikate Land and owner of the Elegushi beach has announced the official closure of the beach in honour of the two drowned students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.
Addressing a briefing on behalf of the family at the Elegushi Palace, the Asiwaju of Ikate Land, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, while condoling with the families of the late students, revealed that the closure will afford the family the opportunity to improve the safety and management standards at the beach.
He refuted claims 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.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Story by David Oputah
