When Not To Cut Corners

It is a global belief that Nigeria is corrupt. Even in foreign movies, Nigeria and Nigerians are tagged corrupt, and unfortunately, almost all countries in the world have this tendency.

But Nigeria may be leading directly or indirectly. Sabattical, the social media influencer in a post wailed about existing corruption at the Muritala Mohammed Airport. This is sickening.

Everyone wants money because they are pressured by family and friends with one problem or the other.

Now, the issue of corruption may not exactly be in the case of the 21 storey building that fell on Monday, November 1, 2021, in Nigeria, as narrated by Ovation publisher,Chief Dele Momodu.

If it’s not cutting corners, what then is it?

Did aliens or zombies use unseen caterpillars to destroy the foundation or pillars of the building on Gerrard road, Ikoyi?

Too sad. Too many deaths. Avoidable tragedy.

Femi Osibona or Fourscore may not have intentionally wanted to cut corners. Still, when he had to meet and give out cash to so many people and building materials kept skyrocketing, he may have opted to do away with one of two things, thinking they were unnecessary.

Twenty-one-storey building is no child’s play; ask one of the best Nigerian civil engineers, Mrs. Mayen Adetiba(filmmaker Kemi Adetiba’s mother).

Many lives were lost, especially mini-adults, national youth corpers who have remained eternally still. Mothers’ and families’ cries have become inconsolable.

While it was a sad day, but such tragedy could have been avoided.

Before the death of TB Joshua, one of his buildings collapsed, and nothing came out of it.

Several buildings have collapsed in Lagos due to structural defects, and nothing ever came out of the findings.

This, too, would go under the carpet. After all, no one takes the dead to court, especially as the principal in this case also died.

While you sympathize with every family involved and ask God to comfort them in their grief, all government agencies still need to do the right thing.

Everyone owes Mr. death a debt but being buried in the rubble is a cruel way to die.

Builders and real estate associations should wake up and do the needful to avert another tragedy.

Last Monday’s tragedy was a monumental loss and catastrophe.

May God rest all the souls of the departed.

See you next week