Lagos orders relocation after school building collapse

The Lagos State Government has expressed shock over the collapse of a bungalow classroom block at Odokekere High School in Ikorodu, assuring parents and the public that no lives were lost in the incident.

In a statement issued by the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS), the government said it received the news of the collapse “with shock”, while regretting what it described as an unfortunate occurrence.

According to the committee, preliminary information showed that the affected classroom block had already been identified for demolition as part of plans to replace it with a more suitable structure capable of accommodating the school’s growing student population.

“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,” the statement said.

The SCRPS confirmed that no casualties were recorded, stressing that all students were safe. “We wish to state clearly that no casualty was recorded at the building collapse. All of our students are in perfect condition,” it added.

The statement also disclosed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had directed the immediate relocation of affected pupils to nearby schools to prevent disruption to academic activities.

Meanwhile, a team of SCRPS officials is expected to visit the school to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the incident. The committee said the visit would enable the government to finalise arrangements for the immediate construction of an ultra-modern classroom block to replace the collapsed structure.