Storm-Damaged Classrooms: Benue Students Take Exams in Otukpo Amidst Adversity

Students of Jesus College in Otukpo, Benue State, returned for their terminal examinations on Monday to meet their classrooms and school facilities badly damaged by a windstorm.

The school’s principal, Simon Omala, said the storm, which struck on Friday night, destroyed key parts of the school, including classrooms, laboratories, and staff quarters.

“The windstorm blew down almost everything in the school. Staff quarters, classrooms, the staff room, and the exam hall. Virtually everything was affected,” Mr Omala said.

He explained that students were not on campus when the incident occurred but came back to a severely damaged environment.

“This morning, the students came to continue their terminal examinations. They were shocked by the level of destruction,” he said.

The school, founded in 1954 and now run by the Benue State Government, has over 400 students. At least 12 classrooms lost their roofs, while other buildings also suffered damage.

Laboratory facilities were also affected, with rainwater damaging equipment in the ICT lab.

“Our ICT laboratory was affected. Rainwater soaked some of the equipment. Electronics do not survive such exposure, so some of the facilities have already been damaged,” he said.

Despite the situation, examinations are ongoing under temporary arrangements, with students using alternative spaces like the chapel.

“We are managing temporary arrangements for them to finish their exams. Some will write in the chapel and other spaces that were not completely destroyed,” he explained.

Mr Omala added that the school will shut temporarily after the exams to allow for assessment and repairs. He noted that the damage could disrupt preparations for the upcoming WASSCE in April.

“Students are supposed to read in their classrooms and prepare well. With the structures destroyed, it will bring a lot of inconvenience to them,” he said.

The Area Education Officer for Otukpo, Bernard Oga, described the destruction as extensive after visiting the school.

“It is really devastating. Almost the whole school is down,” Mr Oga said.

He confirmed that the situation has been reported to the state Ministry of Education.

“I have sent pictures of the destruction to the Commissioner for Education. We have also been asked to print and submit a detailed report,” he said.

He added that other schools in the area were also affected and would be inspected.

The storm also damaged homes and businesses across Otukpo, prompting the Och’Idoma, Elaigwu Odogbo, to call for urgent intervention.

In a statement issued through the Mayor of Otukpo, Ignatius Ogbogo, the traditional ruler appealed for support from the federal and state governments, as well as emergency agencies.

“What we welcomed as the first rain of the year has unfortunately brought unexpected hardship to many households,” the statement said.

Several homes were reportedly damaged, leaving some families displaced, with calls for relief materials and infrastructure repairs.

In a similar development, residents of Ejuku community in Kogi State said a recent storm destroyed about 40 houses, leaving many without shelter.

Community leaders appealed for urgent assistance, noting that no relief had reached them days after the incident.

Back in Otukpo, school authorities say their priority is ensuring students complete their examinations safely while awaiting support to rebuild the damaged facilities.