[TRENDING VIDEO] “No life jacket; see what children are taking to school,” outrage trails as kids board canoes as school buses in Ilaje
Social media has been buzzing following viral videos capturing students in Ilaje, Ondo State, relying on rickety canoes and wooden boats as school transport due to a complete lack of proper road infrastructure in the coastal, creek-connected areas.
The footage shows children boarding overcrowded vessels without life jackets, sparking intense public concern over child safety and government negligence.
While recent discussions highlight the risks—especially following fatal boat accidents in the region—citizens and online commentators have expressed outrage over the total absence of basic safety standards, jetties, and secure transport for young learners.
Click the link to watch the video.
Here are reactions to the story:
Chude (@Chude_ND1): School boat somewhere Ilaje, Ondo state. I wonder why there’s no provision for life jacket for the kids
Dat_Irregular_EdoGuy (@Ji…): What a pity. This is Ondo state
Daniella Okeke (@Ebubedany): It’s a pity, Sunshine State… Wicked politicians… it’s now or never
Ḿyk Ola (@Mykoladoo): Dangerous hazard waiting to happen , it’s preventable now . We don’t have to wait till it happens
Chakam (@mancalledgod001): Ahhhh, Omo, make we help these children fight for better Nigeria na, Shay we go watch make their lives waste as our parents watch our own waste? Wetin dey xup sef? We call the past generation a ‘generation of cowards’, yet we’re about to complete the circle🤲🏾🙋🏾♂️
Primax🐐 (@Primax2U): When something happens now, they will blame devil. See the amount of kids in that boat , yet no single life jacket . Well I hope they are good swimmers o else I dare not allow my kid try to risk
Tee_kay (@Tee_Kay056): Everything in Nigeria na suffering and smiling in the west if children must go to school by boats they’ll be a facility provided to access the boat easily not a kid climbing down a scaffold
Ègbón Àdúgbò (@NIYOREp…): The amusing part is that is that they will swim in that river without life jackets for days and nothing will happen to them. The average Ilaje man is a friend to the river and to all aquatic creatures
PENTANE🎤💜💡 (@Thepen…): No life jacket fgs!!! See what children are taking to school in Ilaje, Ondo state. Funny thing is the Governor is from that village!! 😭😭😭
Oluwagbenga ⱺⱺ (@adetos…): The Ondo State government and the local government in this area should take this issue more seriously. It is a public safety concern that children are being allowed to travel on a ferry without life jackets. Stronger enforcement of basic safety standards would better protect lives and show greater responsibility toward residents. This is a shame! @OndoStateOnline
OGbuefi Max_ugo NNAYA ™ .. (@…): God forbid the day it will happen the family will be left alone to bear the pain. Highest thing the government will do is to send delegates to the bereaved family that’s all. Yet nothing will happen to make changes
UjU (@UjUeka5): Nigeria is a Joke all they are after is rooting to their families and Friends. NO Accountability Tueh
Temojoa Plantain chips. (@T…): Cry my beloved country. No jetty,no life guard ,no safety of children. Suppose, a child falls in the water,how will the child be rescued
Stanley (@Stanley2063698): School bus or school boat, instead of sending my child here he will go learn furniture at age of 6
Usman Abednego (@Agya22…): Just imagine risking the lives of these innocent children? This is where APC has led us to