By Latiifah Amusan
Tragedy was narrowly averted in Ijero-Ekiti on Saturday evening when an event center, filled with 250 occupants, collapsed during a burial ceremony reception, leaving several guests injured.
The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. in the headquarters of Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
The building, which was being used as the reception venue, saw its roof and walls give way, causing panic and injuries among the attendees.
Fortunately, the timely arrival of the Fire Services at the scene played a crucial role in rescuing the victims from the rubble and rushing them to the hospital for treatment.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the terrifying incident, citing a deep crack in the wall that led to the catastrophic collapse.
The sudden failure of the roof and Plaster of Paris (POP) left those inside the auditorium in chaos, resulting in a stampede and various injuries.
In the aftermath of the disaster, the surroundings were strewn with spilled food, broken bottles, shoes, male caps, female wigs, and headgear.
The injured guests were promptly transported to the hospital for necessary medical attention.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, expressed his sympathy over the tragic incident, describing it as unfortunate and saddening.
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, visited the collapsed building on Sunday morning to assess the situation and grieve over the incident.
Governor Oyebanji directed all government agencies to ensure strict supervision and certification of public buildings of a similar nature at every stage to prevent future tragedies.
He emphasized that proper building compliance with specifications should not be compromised, warning that such incidents should not be allowed to recur in the state.
Furthermore, Governor Oyebanji pledged to implement strategies to make Emergency Management Equipment available in all local governments to respond effectively to any alarming situations, ensuring the safety and well-being of the people.
