By Wuaga Isaac
A security guard with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Moses Yakpe, last Saturday averted a major fire outbreak that would have completely destroyed one of the buildings of the Ministry in Makurdi.
Mr Yakpe was covering the duty of his colleague at the departments of Culture and Tourism located within the Aminu Isah Kontagora Arts Theater Complex premises.
He said he heard an explosion at a nearby electricity transformer which resulted in a fire outbreak in the upstairs of the one-storey building.
What caught fire was the air conditioner in the outer office of what used to be the office of the Commissioner of Culture and Tourism.
The alert security man saw the spark and raised alarm by making calls to officials who have offices in the building.
The officials directed people who rushed and started putting out the fire before the Fire Brigade who they had also contacted joined them to completely quench the fire.
Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Mr Tahav Agerzua, expressed appreciation to Mr Yakpe for the role he played in averting what he described as a major disaster.
He stated that Mr Yakpe was one of the most committed staff of the ministry who took his duties seriously and reported for duty without fail.
Mr Agerzua stated that if the building had been burnt invaluable property would have been lost.
These include a Sports Utility Vehicle which was parked at the parking lot of the building, original manuscripts of many books, collection of pictures and cultural music spanning several decades, as well as musical and other electronic equipment.
Mr Yakpe was employed as a casual staff in 2012 and has been on that status since then.
The 58-year old security man hails from Mbamar, Shangev-tiev in Konshisha local government area of Benue State.
He completed primary School at Saint Catherine Primary School Apir in 1976, and later attended Government Secondary School Ikpayongo where he passed out in 2000.
He is married to two wives and blessed with 10 children.
Ayatutu Reporters 