The teeming members of Coalition of Pro – Democracy Groups for A Better Nigeria in conjunction with their Leaders, Mentors and Elderstatemen particularly Aịhaji Tanko Yakassai, from far North, Kano State, and founding father, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), former Editor, daily Comet, owned by former President, Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, former Adviser to former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari; first literature Noble Laurette in Africa, Prof Wole Soyinka (South) and Chief Aloi Obi (East), National Leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo through the National Coordinator of the Group, who is Lagos based, Comrade Awa Bamiji, and a female member from Eastern Region, Comrade Michelle Somto Ador, representing their collective interest paid an inspection visit to the victims of explosion and frowned at wicked action of an illegal Miner, living in Dejo Oyelese Area of old Bodija Housing Estate, through Adeyi B/Stop, and described wantom distruction/collateral damages that Ibadan explosion had caused, in which 5 People had lost their lives, over 80 others injured, over 50 Houses affected, and hundreds were displaced as unfortunate, self inflicted and senseless.
According to them, it is self inflicted because these Criminals have been living in the Area for about 2 Decades and everybody living close to him can’t be exonorated from giving him free hands to operate without the knowledge of Government. They condoled with victims and solocit for support for them.
Inspection tour took them through the troubled spot, where all the Buildings, left and right, on the street were entirely blown up, Bola Ige House and those of Chief Iyiola Oladokun, Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, Mr Kunle Famoriyo (Afenifere Renewal Publicity Secretary), Prof Olurin (Opthomologist), Yoruba Academy Building, and several Others.
They were glad to see that Davies Hotel was entirely safe while Ace Mall and was a bit affected, only the POP of the lounge and few glasses, contrary to widespread rumour of being wiped out. They were conducted round the Area by the affected Victims
Prominent people who lost property in Ibadan explosion
Following the explosion that rocked Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Tuesday evening, those affected have been counting their losses.
Property worth millions of naira were lost to the explosion, which occurred at Dejo Oyelese Street, off Adeyi Avenue, old Bodija area of the city.
Here is a list of prominent people who lost property in the explosion:
Late former Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN)
Former deputy governor of Oyo State, Chief Iyiola Oladokun
Erudite lawyer, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN)
Ibadan-based lawyer, Bandele Aiku (SAN)
Oyo House of Assembly member, Hon. Olufunke Comforter Olajide
Prof Olurin (Opthomologist) and several Others
Also affected was the late Chief Bola Ige’s house, which is within 200 metre radius to the explosion site.
Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Orangun of Oke – Ila visited Bola House at Solemilia Court this morning. Chief Bisi Akande, Gen. Alani Akinrinade (Rtd), Mr. Femi Akande from Okuku, Osun State and a host of other Bola Ige friends and associates across the world have been calling since yesterday. Also, Oyo State Nigerian Institute of Architects’ Chapter (NIA) Chairman, Exco members and Fellows, Osun NIA Chairman, Bishop of Ibadan North Diocesse, sent a delegation led by the Provost, St. Anne’s Church Vicar, and others have also reached out, in sympathy, to Sir (Arc.) Muyiwa Ige, fnia, ksc, the scion of Bola Ige dynasty.
Water Cooperation, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, UCH College of Nursing, and some Buildings in UI are part of the affected Institutions.
Immediate Past Chairman, Mr Ayo Adediran, and current Chairman, Mr. Wunmi Adeniyi of Esaoke Renewal Initiative (ERI); Mr. Yemi Oni, grandson of Chief T.A Oni of Oni & Sons; and Mr Ayo Ogundele of Davies Hotel, also visited Solemilia Court.
They applauded timely intervention of the Oyo State Government and therefore call for arrest of all Offenders and probe with an attempt to bring Culprits to Justice so as to serve as deterrent for Others while urging more action and vigilance from both the Governments and Residents in every part of the Country
The Civil Society team paid a condolence visit to Mrs Betty Akeredolu, Wife of late Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in Idi – Isin Area of Jericho, Ibadan and promised to participate fully in the burial Programme slated for February.
They later moved to favour B/Stop Area of New Bodija, to comfort the Wife of Dr Olu Agunloye, Mrs Abimbola Agunloye, in Bodija over the imprisionment of her Husband by Justice Donatus Okorowo of Federal High Court, Abuja, on the allegations of forgery and corruption, levelled against him by the EFCC. He was alledged to have commited the offences when he was a Minister of power and steel development during former President Olusegun Obasanjo era between 1999 – 2007.
They promised to pay him a solidarity visit at Kuje Prison and reiterated their earlier position of considering staging a mass protest in Abuja, if Judge doesn’t release him to their Mentor and Bola Ige Soulmate, Prof Wole Soyinka, on personal recognition as former Aide to late Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Federation, Chief Bola Ige, SAN, and continue to display what they described as total disrespect for Hero of Democracy in Nigeria and dancing on Bola Ige grave
Comrade Awa Bamiji
National Coordinator
Coalition of Pro – Democracy Groups for A Better Nigeria
PRESS RELEASE, THURSDAY, 18/01/24
