By Tony Okafor
A somber funeral service was held on Saturday, July 20, in Agulu, Anambra State, for 13-year-old Emmanuella Ujunwa Orakweku, one of the victims of the recent school building collapse in Jos, Plateau State.
Emmanuella’s body was laid to rest at her father’s compound amidst grief and lamentation from family and friends.
The funeral service was conducted by Ven. Silas Ike, Vicar of St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Agulu, who urged all to be prepared for death at all times, as it is an inevitable occurrence.
Ven. Ike, who had spent over 21 years in Jos, expressed his familiarity with the collapsed school building and offered words of comfort to the bereaved family.
Emmanuella’s death was one of 22 fatalities in the tragic incident, which also left 154 persons trapped and evacuated to hospitals.
Preliminary investigations by the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) revealed several defects in the building, which collapsed on Friday, July12 at about 8:30 am.
The funeral service was attended by family members, including Emmanuella’s grandparents, Mr and Mrs Banaiah and Comfort Orakweku, who were visibly distraught.
Ven. Ike’s homily emphasized the importance of praising God even in the face of tragedy, as Emmanuella’s sibling, who was also in the same school, survived the mishap.
The tragic incident has sparked widespread concern about the safety of buildings in Nigeria, particularly in schools. The Federal Government has promised to investigate the incident and take necessary measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
