Photo: Kayode Oladapo/Premium Times
A rescue team search for more victims from the scene of a building, which collapsed at Itafaji on the Lagos Island on Wednesday.
By Idoko Salihu
Widespread reactions have trailed Wednesday’s collapse of a three-storey building housing pupils of Ohen Nursery and Primary School and tenants at Massey Street, Lagos Island.
According to Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), at least 40 pupils, including 10 dead bodies, had been pulled out of the rubble as at the day it happened.
The Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who visited the scene blamed the owner of the building for the mishap. President Muhammadu Buhari in response, called on the state government not to allow a recurrence of the tragic incident.
Although records of casualties remain sketchy, an official involved in the rescue operation, Thursday, told PREMIUM TIMES 16 people have died while 41 were rescued alive.
Mixed reactions
Mixed reactions of anger, sadness and widespread outrage poured out on social media and is currently trending as at the time of this report.
Self-acclaimed “Buhari Tormentor,” Reno Omokri (@renoomokri), in his tweet had this to say, “President @MBuhari ought to have travelled to Lagos for an on the spot assessment of the #LagosBuildingCollapse. As dictatorial as Putin is alleged to be, he flew to Russia’s Ural Mountains region in 2018 to participate in rescue efforts at a collapsed building in SUBZERO WEATHER.”
Controversial Nigerian journalist, Kemi Olunloyo (@HNNAfrica), had this to say: “#lagosbuildingcollapse at Itafaji is proof that Lagosians are brainwashed, have let society manipulate them. U vote for the person u are told to vote for. When a bad structure is pulled down u complain that the government is rendering u homeless, one woman lost 5 children today!”
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Businessman, Tony O. Elumelu, reacted saying, “Deeply saddened by yesterday’s Ita-Faji School building collapse and the avoidable loss of life of these innocent ones. Praying for those affected 🙏🏼 #LagosBuildingCollapse #LagosIsland.”
Michael Orodare (@MichaelOrodare) reacted saying “elections are over, none of the Lagos governorship candidates will visit the site of #LagosBuildingCollapse. If it had happened before the election, the site would have turned to a tourist center for candidates, with different photo ops.”
Tayo Ekundayo-Ojo (@Tyedayo2) charged whistle-blowing to be extended to aspects of lives in Nigeria said, “report any old building at the verge of collapse to appropriate authorities to avert another #LagosBuildingCollapse rid #lagosisland of rickety buildings.”
“It’s often said of the military that “For our tomorrow, they gave their today”. But for school kids caught in the Itafaaji #LagosBuildingCollapse, it is a case of “For our today, we robbed them of their future”. My heartfelt condolences go out to all those who lost a loved one,” Yinka Ogunnubi (@yinkanubi) said in an emotional tweet.
Yemi Adeyemi (@Dr_YemiAdeyemi) who called for an investigation of individuals involved in the construction of the collapsed building said: “until we understand that we cannot continue to accept mediocrity, we wouldn’t move forward as a nation. Risk assessment should be carried on any and every property. Every individual involved in the construction of that building should be investigated. #LagosBuildingCollapse.”
More reactions below:
Salam Alaykum, lets not forget to fast tomorrow. Please put the victims& families in your prayer If you can, please try to visit either Massey children’s hospital or General hospital odan in lagos island to donate blood . May Allah answer our prayers. 🙏🏾 #LagosBuildingCollapse
– Renè The Leader ❤️ (@Rene_noire) March 13, 2019
May we not bury our children. 🙏🏾 My heart goes out to the families who lost their children in the #LagosBuildingCollapse pic.twitter.com/MGA1CLzQMh
– Obiagu Ibrahim Salawu (@UnilagOlodo) March 13, 2019
Children should never die in their quest for education.Lord console their families and all those who are involved in the building collapse.Painfully Tragic.#LagosBuildingCollapse
– SiRmIxAlOt👁 (@Omachi_1) March 13, 2019
Tonight, I’m moved to tears having followed the news of #LagosBuildingCollapse at Ita Faji, Lagos Island.
I imagined how helpless the children were, the pain & agony before they gave up the ghost; the grief of the parents of the dead waiting for their children to return home.💔 pic.twitter.com/QzxIkzu8vS
– The Precious One (@damiancaring) March 13, 2019
The morning after the #LagosBuildingCollapse Emergency Agencies have called off search & rescue operations. Parents insist more people are under the rubble. pic.twitter.com/Qr4LiwVKXP
– Joshua Ajayi (@thisisajayi) March 14, 2019