An eight year old primary one pupil of Local Government Primary School in Adiyan Owe in Ado Odo Local Government area of Ogun State, Quayum Badrudeen was on Thursday killed by a collapsed school building. Four others were critically injured in the incident.
The victim was said to have died due to injuries he sustained when one of the school wall fell on him while playing beside the school building.
He was said to have died on his way to the hospital, while the four other victims were said to be between the ages of thirteen and fifteen.
Chairman of Ado Odo Ota Local government, Comrade Rotimi Rahmon said the names of the injured pupils include Janet Salako, Pry 4, 14 years, Bose Adenko, Pry 6, 15 years, Rasidat Ajade, Pry 6 15 years and Aanu Ajose, Pry 6, 13 years.
They were been taken care of at the State General Hospital, Ota Ogun State.
In a statement, the Council boss confirmed the story and said the affected classroom had been located in an erosion-prone area within the school compound, adding that “The incident happened while the children were on break”.
The injured pupils were first treated in a private hospital before the LGA Chairman who rushed to the school premises shortly after the incident, directed that they should be taken to the General Hospital, Ota, to ensure they get better medical attention.
Rahmon also visited the family of the deceased and commiserated with them.
The chairman who expressed regrets over the unfortunate incident also directed that the standing wall of the affected classroom be brought down immediately.
He also directed all school headmasters in the LGA to ensure that any structure or object that can endanger pupils are removed from school compound.
Rahmon noted that the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) had earlier in the year completed the rehabilitation of a block of two classrooms in the school.
He added that the SUBEB had equally constructed 15 new classrooms and fully rehabilitated 71 others in the LGA as part of the over 500 that it constructed across the 20 LGAS.
Twelve water closet sets had also been constructed in the LGA for the use of primary school pupils in the state since the inception of the Amosun administration.
Rahmon while expressing sympathy with the families of the affected pupils promised that the injured ones will get the best treatment and that his administration, followings he footsteps of the State Government headed by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, will do everything possible to ensure the future of the young leaders of tomorrow is not jeopardized in any way.
He appealed to all residents of the local government to maintain peace as the government would continue to act in the best interest of the people.