In a deeply tragic incident that has sent shockwaves across Edo State, a hotel building under construction has collapsed in the Idumoza Community of Uromi, located in the Esan North-East Local Government Area, claiming the life of its owner, Mr. Harrison Isesere.
The unfortunate event occurred on Saturday evening as construction work continued on the multi-room hospitality facility, which was reportedly nearing completion. Eyewitnesses reported that the building suddenly gave way with a loud, terrifying crash that could be heard across the neighborhood. Locals rushed to the site in an attempt to rescue anyone who might have been trapped under the debris, only to discover that the owner himself, who was supervising aspects of the construction, had been fatally caught in the collapse.
The deceased, Harrison Isesere, a well-known businessman and philanthropist within the community, was said to have visited the site daily to oversee progress. On the day of the incident, he was reportedly inspecting the upper floor when the structure gave way. By the time rescuers reached him, he had already succumbed to his injuries.
Community members described Harrison as a humble, generous, and development-focused individual who had embarked on the hotel project as part of a larger vision to boost local tourism and create employment opportunities for youths in Uromi and its surrounding areas.
“This is a black day for us. Harrison was not just building a hotel; he was building hope for our community. It’s hard to believe he’s gone,” said a grieving resident, Monday Okojie.
Emergency responders, including officers from the Nigerian Police, local vigilante groups, and community volunteers, arrived at the scene shortly after the collapse. The area was cordoned off, and efforts began to assess the stability of the remaining sections of the building and to determine whether others might be trapped or injured.
While investigations are ongoing, early reports suggest that structural failure due to substandard materials or design flaws may have caused the collapse. Some observers have raised questions about the quality of construction and whether proper engineering standards were followed.
“There needs to be a thorough investigation. This cannot just be dismissed as an accident. If anyone cut corners, if professionals compromised safety, they must be held accountable,” said Comrade Festus Eromosele, a civil society activist from Edo Central.
As the community mourns the loss of one of its prominent sons, there are growing calls for regulatory authorities such as the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and the Edo State Ministry of Urban Planning to intensify oversight on construction projects to prevent further tragedies.
Social media has since been flooded with tributes and messages of condolence, with many Nigerians decrying the recurring incidents of building collapse across the country. The tragic death of Harrison Isesere adds to the rising toll of lives lost due to structural negligence or inadequate enforcement of building codes.
The remains of Mr. Isesere have been deposited at a nearby mortuary, and arrangements are underway for his burial. The hotel site remains sealed off as structural engineers continue assessments and officials prepare a formal report on the incident.
In the meantime, residents of Idumoza and the wider Uromi community remain in mourning, grappling with the painful loss of a man who sought to bring growth and prosperity to his people — only to meet a cruel and untimely end at the hands of the very project he dreamed would uplift others.
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