A one-story structure with ten classrooms has collapsed at Agbado District Comprehensive High School in Ogun State’s Ifo Local Government Area.
According to reports, the structure collapsed on Saturday following a strong downpour.
The structure was reportedly donated by Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello during her tenure as the representative for Ogun Central from 2007 to 2011.
A resident of the community, Kolawole Adelani described the collapse as “a long-overdue catastrophe waiting to happen”.
Adelani said, “The building has stood there for more than fifteen years, plagued with structural issues. Everyone feared that such a tragedy was imminent. Thankfully, no lives were lost”.
Also, the President of the Agbado District Old Students’ Association, Ganiyu Olowu, also said the building collapse was a disaster foreseen.
“During the early afternoon rain, a long stretch of multiple classroom one-storey building collapsed at our alma mater, Agbado District Comprehensive High School in Oke Aro”, Olowu said.
He stated that the state Ministry of Education had been regularly informed by the alumni organisation of the building’s deteriorating state and the possible threat it posed to students.
“As stakeholders working with the state government to ensure holistic education across the state, we drew the attention of the former Commissioner to the alarming state of the building.
“We were assured that a team would be sent to inspect the site. While they did visit, no action has been taken on this massive classroom project initiated by Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello many years ago. As we speak, there are parts of the collapsed building that can cause more havoc if students were around”, he added.
He also bemoaned the infrastructure on the school’s grounds.
“Many infrastructures in the school have deteriorated to an appalling level, reflecting a system plagued by negligence and a lack of prioritization of students’ safety and welfare,” he said.
