Passing the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) — now SSS-3 terminal examination for secondary school, back then “All-mighty WAEC” — is a big deal. It’s the first major academic landmark that puts a teen on track for tertiary education. So, celebrating this landmark is totally understandable.

Yet, to celebrate to the extent of putting your life at risk? That was the unforced tragedy at the Elegushi Beach in Lagos, where four teens, swimming to toast their success at their examinations, got drowned in the Atlantic Ocean. But for the alertness of the beach guards, more boys could have drowned.

According to news reports, a brood of boys having learnt of their success, headed for Elegushi Beach, a private beach on Victoria Island, Lagos, for a celebratory dip. But that itself needed not have turned fatal, had the boys heeded the warning of the coast guards.

The guards had warned the boys to steer clear of a certain section of the beach. Yet, to that perilous section the boys made a detour to enjoy their splash. By the time the alarm blew, however, 10 of them were on the cusp of drowning. The beach guards saved six. The remaining four are yet to be accounted for — and so are presumed drowned.

This was a totally avoidable tragedy. While giddy youths would shun wise counsel and embark on a fatal swim beggars belief. Success could be racy and giddy. But with a bit of caution, it need not turn fatal. Again, those drownings could have been avoided. It’s the flip — and fatal — side of youthful exuberance.

Benjamin Hundeyin, superintendent of police and spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, captured it all in a Twitter post: “Four teenagers drowned at a Lagos beach today, after collecting their exam results in school. Take heed!” He tweeted. “I’ve talked about drowning in relation to water travel and swimming pools. Still, parents/guardians, have a heart-to-heart talk with your teenagers to avoid losing.”

That’s a golden advice — and it’s spot on! Everything starts from the home, all in the spirit of that good, old axiom: prevention is better than cure.

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