News
Eight Dead, Many Trapped in Freetown Building Collapse
At least eight people have tragically lost their lives after a seven-storey building collapsed in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, on Monday.
The disaster has sparked an intense search-and-rescue operation, with teams continuing to sift through the rubble in hopes of finding more survivors.
Several people are still believed to be trapped beneath the debris, and rescue workers are racing against time to locate them.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has confirmed that six individuals have been pulled from the wreckage so far, with some of the trapped victims managing to communicate their locations to rescuers.
Among the victims identified are three young children—two girls and a boy—each under the age of five.
The building, which housed both residential and commercial spaces, collapsed late in the morning, between 11:00 and 12:00 local time.
Rescue operations began immediately, with initial efforts involving rescuers using their hands and picks to clear the debris before two cranes were brought in to aid the mission.
Mohamed Camara, a resident, shared his heart-wrenching story with reporters, explaining that his wife and three children were among those still trapped beneath the building.
As emotions run high, the community remains anxiously hopeful that more survivors will be found in the coming hours.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the collapse, but the disaster has raised renewed concerns about the state of infrastructure in Sierra Leone.
Brima Sesay, the head of the NDMA, has called for increased public awareness regarding the dangers of hiring unqualified contractors and using substandard building materials.
He emphasized that addressing these issues is crucial to preventing future tragedies like this one.
“We need to conduct more vulnerability assessments to reduce the likelihood of building collapses in the future,” Sesay noted.
He added that Sierra Leone’s widespread poverty and inadequate building regulations contribute to the country’s frequent construction failures.
With infrastructure challenges already a major concern, incidents like this highlight the urgent need for improvements in building safety standards across the nation.
As the rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on finding those still trapped and understanding what led to this devastating collapse.
The tragedy has shaken the people of Freetown, underscoring the urgent need for action to ensure safer building practices in the future.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to travel to Rome this Saturday to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The invitation came directly from Pope Leo XIV, who emphasized the importance of the president’s presence during this significant moment for the Church and a world facing many challenges.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, will be officially installed as the 267th Bishop of Rome on Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
President Tinubu will be accompanied by key Catholic figures, including the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto.
Notably, Pope Leo XIV has a special connection to Nigeria, having worked at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s. After the ceremony, President Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja on Tuesday, May 20.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has urged Nigerians to preserve their culture and ensure it doesn’t fade away with time. Speaking through his deputy, Barrister Adebayo Lawal, at the 2025 World Egungun Festival grand finale held in Ibadan, Makinde emphasized the importance of keeping traditions alive.
The event took place at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in the Oke Ado area and was graced by top dignitaries including Chief Lekan Alabi, who represented the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Osun State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Ojo Abiodun, Prince Adeola Adelakun of Oje Parapo Worldwide, and Oyo State’s own Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun.
Makinde stressed that culture and tourism are key focus areas for his administration, and his government is committed to supporting efforts that will keep local traditions thriving. He added that by investing in cultural events and heritage, the state can boost its economy through tourism and increase revenue. He said, “We must not let our culture die. I’m glad to see young people taking part in this celebration, not just the elders.”
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called on critics to stop mocking him for dancing in public. He said it’s unfair to judge his leadership based on his love for dancing, adding that expressing himself through dance doesn’t take away from his achievements.
Speaking at a recent event, Adeleke pointed out that many public figures, including fellow governors and even the President, also dance but aren’t ridiculed for it. He made it clear that there’s no rule stopping a public official from dancing as long as it causes no harm.
In a now-viral clip, Adeleke said, “Sanwo-Olu dances, even Tinubu dances. So why should I be attacked for dancing? There’s no law against it.” He urged people to stop making his dance moves a reason to doubt his work.
According to him, “Dancing brings me joy. It’s how I express myself. It’s not hurting anyone, and it doesn’t stop me from doing my job.” Recently, his nephew, music star Davido, praised him as the best governor Osun State has ever had, noting that people doubted his ability because of his fun-loving nature. But over time, Adeleke has silenced the critics with his performance in office.
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