Toplife International Christian Center, owners of Toplife International School, Bonny, says the wellbeing and wholesome development of children attending its worship programmes or school remain its utmost priority.
General Overseer of the church, Pastor Paul Umoru, said this on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in an interview with Kristina Reports in Bonny, Rivers State.
He disclosed that a pupil attending Toplife International School, who was involved in an accident, is currently receiving treatment at the Orthopaedic Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Alakahia, Port Harcourt.
The father of the child, Unye-Awaji Jeremiah also confirmed to Kristina Reports that his son has started receiving treatment at the said medical facility, disclosing that they were at UPTH on appointment after being referred there by doctors at St. Charles Clinics and Surgery, Akiama, Bonny.
He also confirmed to Kristina Reports that the church has been footing the bills for the treatment and upkeep of the child, noting that his family and the church were working closely together to see that his son recovers fully and is able to use his leg normally again.
Responding to Kristina Reports enquiry, the Director of Education, Bonny LGA, Samuel Jumbo confirmed that Toplife International School had reported the matter to his office, revealing that the child was receiving medical care, adding that his office was monitoring the situation on the go.
Though the Supervisor for Education in the Bonny Local Government Council, Godswill Longjohn was yet to respond to Kristina Reports’ enquiry on the matter as at the time of this report, Secretary to the Bonny LG Council, Ralph Jamaica confirmed to Kristina Reports that the Government was aware of and closely monitoring the situation, adding that his office was getting ongoing updates on the matter from both the boy’s family and the church.
There was some furore on the social media space when a Facebooker, Ngowari Ernest Longjohn made a post accusing the church of jettisoning responsibility after the accident occurred, saying that the church only reverted on its position when the issue was reported to the Bonny LG Council.
The Toplife International Christian Church General Overseer disclaimed this, querying what sense it makes for the church to abandon its pupil it had accommodated for two consecutive terms without paying his school fees as the parents were financially unable to meet up, asserting that the full recovery of the child to resume academic activities was the priority at the moment.
Facts at the disposal of Kristina Reports based on feedbacks received from the child’s family, church, and regulatory authorities, amongst other stakeholders involved in the matter show that from the moment the incident happened, it was properly reported to the church leadership.
This set off a series of interventions with the family and the church working together to urgently secure medical care for the boy. An x-ray, which bill was footed by the church, was done at Pan-Oj Clinic, then a local bone mender was called in but who insisted on seeing the x-ray result. Both parties told Kristina Reports that his bill was also picked by the church.
Then a decision was made by all parties for the child to go to UPTH after St. Charles Surgery returned a diagnostic advice in that regard. A travel booking and hotel booking were secured for the family in Port Harcourt where an appointment was secured for the child.
As far as am concern the GO is not that kind of heartless person!! His a man of integrity also has a kind heart more for children so am so proud of him and I know a lot of people may not like him but God loves him