The bitten-off outer part of the tongue of a student of Federal Government Girls’ College, FGGC, Umuahia, Abia State capital, Adaeze Chinweoke, has been successfully reattached.
A senior student, Amarachi Chibueze, had reportedly bitten off the part during a fight with the 13-year-old Chinweoke over food in the college last October.
Chinweoke’s father, Ofekwe Chinweoke, who escorted the student back to the college in the company of his wife, spoke to the media and described the incident as horrifying.
He noted that the incident had taken a huge toll on the Senior Secondary School 1 student both health-wise and psychologically, as well as financially on the Aba-based family.
The father said , “In view of the above, I appeal to individuals, groups, and institutions to assist us by offering her a scholarship as a way of encouraging her to pursue her dream”.
He attributed the success to the “grace of God and the professional ingenuity of Dr. Innocent Iwegbu, a chief consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon with the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia and his team.”
He also lauded the principal of the college, Ngozi Kalu-Idika and two concerned parents in the college for their timely intervention, “without which, who knows what would have become her fate today”.
When contacted, the surgeon confirmed that Chinweoke’s condition was back to normal and stable, adding that she is capable of resuming her studies and other activities in full.
He stressed that school authorities should inculcate understanding, discipline, tolerance, peace, and love among the students to avoid unhealthy rivalry and similar incidents in future.
In a comment, Ambassador Onyinyechi Nwosu, a child rights activist and coordinator of Abia Child Protection Network, commended the student for her courage to return to school.
The activist also lauded the consultant and his team for the feat and added his voice to the appeal for scholarship for the student from any quarter, including the college’s old students’ association.
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