By Ebuanekpe Joy
Following the fire incident which gutted the Okaro Primary School, Urhonigbe in Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo State, the State Government through the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Barr (Mrs.) Onomen Briggs, has deployed a team to assess the level of damage.
The Team, headed by the Board Member representing Edo South Senatorial District, Mrs. Angela Okpamen; with the Director of Shared Services, Mrs. Beatrice Ada Oluku; the Director of School Support Services, Mr. Austin Otas Osegbe; the Director of Social Mobilization, Mr. Austin Ighodaro; amongst others, was conducted round the razed structure by the Headmaster, Mr. Augustine Edumodu, and the Chairman of School-Based Management Committee (SBMC), Mr. Obasa Victor.
Briefing the Team on the situation, the Headmaster said he was alerted on the fire incident at approximately 7.00 p.m. on Saturday, 1st February, 2025, but that local residents reported that the fire started at about 6.00 p.m.
According to Mr. Edumodu, though the fire resulted in the loss of school registers and other learning materials, academic activities have not been disrupted. He assured that pupils continued their lessons in alternative classrooms to ensure that learning remains uninterrupted.
The Team recommended community sensitization on fire prevention and indicated that its findings would guide on immediate and long-term remedial actions. It reaffirmed its commitments to mitigating the impact of the inferno and pledged swift resumption of full-scale educational activities in the School. In a show of support, Mrs. Angela Okpamen donated 15 sets of school uniforms to pupils who were affected by the incident.
A block of three classrooms, including the Headmaster’s office, was razed by the fire. However, the affected block was not in use at the time of the incident. Updates will be provided on outcomes of investigation as the cause of the fire remained unknown as at Press time.
Residents of Urhonigbe urged the State Government’s prompt intervention in rebuilding the damaged structure to restore the School to its fullest functionality.
