There was panic in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State after a classroom building at Odokerere High School in the area collapsed on Friday while pupils were in class
According to reports and videos shared on social media platforms, the Lagos State government–owned school collapse during school hours though no casualties were recorded as the pupils were said to have escaped with no serious injuries.
A video of the incident, shared on social media platform X, showed the collapsed structure as a narrator expressed concern over the potential danger to the pupils
“This Odokerere High School at Ikorodu collapsed while students were receiving lectures, but we thank God nothing happened,” the narrator said, adding that the pupils acted quickly to escape.
However, in a statement issued on Friday by the state government, the Lagos special committee on rehabilitation of public schools (SCRPS) said that the block had been marked for demolition before the incident.
The committee, which was re-inaugurated on November 4, 2019, said Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered the relocation of the students to nearby schools to avoid disruption of their academic activities.
“The state government regrets the unfortunate incident,” the statement reads.
“However, a classified information from the SCRPS office, reveals that the classroom block had already been marked for demolition in order to construct a befitting classroom edifice that will accommodate the huge population of students in the school.
“We also wish to state that no casualty was recorded at the building collapse. All of our students are in perfect condition.
“The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also ordered immediate relocation of the pupils to nearby schools, so as not to disrupt their academic activities.
“A team of the officials of SCRPS will be visiting the school today, to have an on the spot assessment of the incident, in order to enable government work out modalities, to begin immediate construction of an ultra-modern classroom block, that will accommodate the huge population in the school,” the statement added.
