Osogbo: Before the walls come crashing down

The  condition of the dilapidated buildings in the areas in the ancient city of Osogbo, Osun State capital makes one  wonder how  human beings  chose to live there in the first place. In the areas of the capital characterised by these type of buildings, which include  Isale-Osun, Ita-Olookan, Gbaemu, Oke-Baale, Isale-Aro, Asubiaro, and Oke-Ayepe, which […]

The  condition of the dilapidated buildings in the areas in the ancient city of Osogbo, Osun State capital makes one  wonder how  human beings  chose to live there in the first place. In the areas of the capital characterised by these type of buildings, which include  Isale-Osun, Ita-Olookan, Gbaemu, Oke-Baale, Isale-Aro, Asubiaro, and Oke-Ayepe, which are densely populated by indigenes of Osogbo, residents are obviously used to the appalling condition of the homes. The cracks on the walls, and the physical condition of the buildings shock the visitor, while a view of the inside stuns in no small measure, but the residents carry on as though unaware of the impending danger.
Two aged women, Madam Halimatu Bankole and Madam Safuratu Bankole, were seen sitting in front of a very old building within the Asubiaro area. They welcome this reporter to the house with smiles and prayers ,as they introduce themselves as wives of the owner of the building, Pa Lasisi Bankole , who died many years ago. They both noted that the house was built before they  married their late husband, but they refused to speak further. Madam Safuratu instantly called a man from the house to say more on behalf of the family.
The 45-year-old man who came out introduced himself as Mr. Ademola Bankole, and he did not forget to say that he is a son of the owner of the house, late Lasisi Bankole. He ushered the reporter into the balcony of the house for a brief chat. During the discussion, Ademola noted that occupants of the house are living with the fear that the building may collapse, but they have resorted to prayers and trust in the Almighty, that he would not expose them to danger, since they do not have money to rebuild the house now.
His words: “We know the danger in living in this building. We know the building is old and dilapidated. We keep praying to the Almighty  for His mercy, so that there would be no rainstorm that would pull down the house. We hope to rebuild the house as time goes on. There is development in the state now,  and Osogbo, the state capital is developing very fast. The current governor has changed the face of Osogbo and this area is now becoming a commercial centre. This Asubiaro Street is a backward  area, and one of the core inner areas in Osogbo. That is why there are many dilapidated houses here.”
“We are aware that the state government wants to expand this road, and there are indications that government may demolish some of these buildings during the road construction. When the road is finally completed, this area would be more attractive, and when that time comes, we intend to look for developers who would help us build a new modern structure here based on agreement. We have the Certificate of Occupancy, and we are sure that we will get compensation if government demolishes  the building during the road construction.If the house escapes  demolition, then we will leverage on the improved status of this area,” Ademola added.

Unlike the Bankole family, Pa Osuntoyinbo Samuel’s family of Oke-Ayepe was not very lucky, as the family’s old building collapsed recently.
The building which was said to have been built  about a hundred years ago, collapsed following a downpour that lasted for several hours. Pa Osuntoyinbo and other occupants of the house have been rendered homeless, and they have now relocated  to an open space at the backyard as a temporary abode. The quick response of the men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Osun State Ambulance Service saved the lives of the occupants  of the house. Pa Osuntoyinbo ,who was removed from beneath the  rubble  of the collapsed building during the rescue mission, sustained an injury. He  was taken away to an undisclosed hospital by his children, owing to the strike by doctors in public hospitals at the time.
The Head, Disaster Rescue Management Unit of the NSCDC, Mr Olufemi Awofade said the building was weak and that its weakness caused the collapse. Awofade said “two years ago, we served all occupants of old buildings in the state a notice to evacuate the buildings, and this building was among them. But its occupants did not comply. We are now using this medium to urge all those living in old and dilapidated buildings in Osun state, to vacate them in the interest of their safety.”
Daughter of Pa Osuntoyinbo, Mrs Oladele Wemimo, confirmed that NSCDC and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) had warned the occupants of the house to evacuate from the aged buildings for their safety.

Some other occupants of the collapsed building who spoke with this reporter, said they have no money to rent another apartment. The occupants, including Madam Haolatu Buremo, Mrs Oderanti Adija, and Alhaja Olanrewaju Monsurat, who spoke on behalf of others living in the collapsed building, appealed to the state government to assist them.
At Isale-Osun, Daily Trust came across   Madam Afusatu Sanusi who sells beans-cakes in her dilapidated house. Afusatu said she heard about the performance of Governor Aregbesola, but she frowned that she has not benefited from the state government, and that she would only appreciate the state government, if Aregbesola could help her to rehabilitate her house.
According to Afusatu, “Everybody is commending Governor Aregbesola. They said he has done well. I pray that his second term would be better than his first term. As you can see, I’m struggling to survive here, and this house requires rehabilitation. This was built by my father. I inherited it from him. I actually wish to rehabilitate the building, but I am helpless. I want the state government to help me.”
Madam Monsurat Balogun who resides in a dilapidated building at the Better-Life part of Osogbo, also knows that living in such an aged building is not safe. Monsurat said “our father who owns this house died some years ago, and we have been maintaining the house since the demise of the owner. We  planned to rebuild the house in the future. Until then, we will remain here and we will keep praying to God to continue to protect us.”
Our correspondent visited the office of the National Orientation Agency, and the Director of the Agency in the state, Dr. Martins Olugbenga said NOA is concerned about the situation, and worried about the safety of the people living in the dilapidated buildings. He said NOA has notified the appropriate authorities on the need to find  a solution to the problem, and that his agency would collaborate with the state government to address the problem, before it would lead to unwarranted deaths.
The NOA boss said “We are aware of the worrisome situation of dilapidated buildings in Osogbo, and other major cities in the state.
The situation has been a source of concern to us and we have written to the government. We are willing to collaborate with the state government, where necessary, and we hope that the problem would be addressed by the current administration in the state. We will continue to sensitise the people living in those dilapidated buildings, on the need to vacate and find another place to live for their own safety.”

Also reacting to the development, Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Osun State, Mr Sunday Akere said that the dilapidated buildings would be acquired, if the owners failed to demolish the aged houses, and build new ones there.
Akere said “the issue of people living in those dilapidated buildings is worrisome and remains a source of concern to all of us. We are addressing the situation. We have carried out enumeration of all the old buildings in our major cities, including Osogbo, and we have already identified the buildings that are in very bad shape.
“We have marked those very dilapidated buildings for demolition, and we issued an ultimatum to the owners of those buildings. We gave them ample time to vacate the buildings. We advised them to demolish the dilapidated buildings, and use their land to build new houses. But if the owners of the buildings fail  to demolish the dilapidated structures by themselves, after the expiration of the ultimatum, the buildings would be acquired by the state government, and we will then carry out the demolition,” Akere stated.