For the schools affected by the Abule Ado explosion it remains to be seen what the future holds for them Damola Kola-Dare reports.
Schools affected by the explosion that tore through the Abule Ado Lagos community on Sunday face an uncertain future.
Some of the schools are Michlom Nursery and Primary School, Lindave Schools, and Bethlehem Catholic Girls’ College, among others.
With only ruins standing in the places where schools once stood, it was no surprise their pupils did not show up for classes on Monday.
However, pupils of the Bethelem Catholic Girls’ College, may find it easier getting back to school as the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos is working on accommodating them in sister catholic schools.
A statement by the Arch Bishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins noted: “This sad incident occurred while the students and staff were at Sunday Mass. With the help of the first respondents, all the students were rescued and some that were injured were rushed to the hospitals.
The other students have been released to their parents and gone to their different homes. We want to state that all students of the school were reported safe.
“Those who sustained injuries were promptly attended to in various hospitals within the environ. We are getting our Education Department along with the Administrators of other Archdiocesan schools to see how the students of Bethlehem Girls College can be accommodated in the other schools so that their education is not disrupted.”
Martins also noted that the staff quarters, administrative building, refectory and hostel were reduced to cinders except for the convent housing the nuns in charge of the school.
It was also learnt that the Principal, Rev. Sis. Henrietta Alokha and one female security guard died while rescuing the school girls.
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The statement noted that all pupils of the school had been accounted for with no deaths recorded. While the injured ones were rushed to the hospital, others were released to their parents.
Recounting how the incident happened, Favour, a pupil of the school said they suddenly saw white smoke during Mass and Rev. Sis. Alokha instructed them to move to the convent for safety after calling the fire service officials.
When The Nation visited the area on Monday, three bodies were evacuated from the rubble.
The school’s Creative Arts teacher, who refused to give his name, said they were members of staff of the school. He declined further comments.
Lindave Schools suffered a worse fate than Bethlehem Girls’ College as its entire building was reduced to rubble. Residents familiar with its location pointed it out to first timers, if not, nothing remained to suggest that was a school there.
Sadly, the explosion claimed the life of the school’s proprietor, and some members of her family. It is yet to be determined what will become of the school.
At Michlom School, it was gathered that no life was lost as the incident happened on a Sunday.
.However,it was learnt that the management of the school were meeting to chart a way forward.
“We thank God no life was lost because it all happened on Sunday morning, and you know, we don’t come to school on Sunday. Nobody knows how everything happened;we cannot explain what led to it. The school management are in a meeting to chart the way forward,” one of the female teachers, told The Nation.
The tales of woe in the wake of the tragedy brought tears to the eyes of many as people were left visibly shaken and devastated.
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