Category: Featured

The Bodija Estate Residents Association, Ibadan, on Wednesday, said about 10 people were still missing following the January 17 explosion in the area.

Oduduwa News reports that five people died, 77 sustained varying degrees of injury and 58 houses were damaged during the explosion that rocked Dejo Oyelese street in Ibadan, Oyo State.

 Governor Seyi Makinde presented the preliminary report of the explosion to President Bola Tinubu at the weekend.

“I think it is now more towards eight and nine persons now, or even 10, whom those in the neighborhood have talked about,” the Association’s President, Muyiwa Bamgbose, told newsmen after their consultative meeting.

“We took the map of the street to them (government) and tried to account for (people) house by house to get accurate information.

“If the person was seen yesterday and was not seen today or you can’t find him again, then you need to get worried. But I believe it’s nearer 10 now,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that BERA, an umbrella body of all communities in Bodija, also called for massive assistance for victims of the explosion to get back their lives.

It pointed out the need for continuous care and support for victims whose lives had changed unexpectedly since the incident.

Members of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday visited Governor Makinde to commiserate with him and the people of the state over the explosion.

The BoT led by its chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, met the governor at his office, State Secretariat Agodi, Ibadan.

According to NAN, Wabara commended Makinde on behalf of the board for his prompt response to the unfortunate incident and for showing his prowess as an engineer, by directing that a structural integrity test be conducted on about 230 buildings in the affected area.

He expressed the BoT’s condolences to the governor and the government of the state as well as families, who lost loved ones to the incident.

Wabara called for a thorough investigation to unravel the cause of the incident in order to avoid a recurrence of such incidents in the country.

In his response, Makinde appreciated the body for the visit which he described as encouraging, noting that it indicated that the body was looking out for his government.

“There has also been the humanitarian side of things, especially with regards to children affected by the incident, who are supposed to be in school.

“So, you need to keep encouraging us and supporting us where possible as well as keep praying for us,” he said.

Makinde also used the opportunity of the visit to pledge his support for the unity of the PDP, saying he would continue to play a positive role toward ensuring that the party became united and formidable.

Over the past few weeks, a lot has happened in various parts of Nigeria that clearly points to the condition of security the nation has found itself. An average citizen is well aware of the recent happenings, a rather appalling string of events that do not speak well of the way the government has handled the security.

Today, the situation we had found ourselves as a people is one in which none of us is safe and that anything can happen to anybody at any material time.

Oke-ogun continues to experience its own share of the security troubles. In a more conspicuous manner, the people of Oke-ogun must have been overwhelmed with the news of kidnappings, burglaries and killings in the town.

The first point of call is the porosity of the borders that surround the town. As it looks, there is a lot on that issue that could form a case in its entirety. An unsecured border makes anywhere vulnerable to attack and invasion. If it were to be in the centuries where men and governments fight for lands and territories, perhaps the town would have been dominated by invaders. Border security is a force on its own and if it combines with a host of other security issues, there will be rain of terror, just as we can see at this present time.

The security of the citizens is what defines a state. Government exists for the state and not the state for the government and this is well-captured in the provision of Section 14 sub-section 2 (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.

The first priority of the government is the safety of the people and whatever threatens their existence is an enemy of the state. The government needs to do more and more as required to protect the people and confirm the reason why they were elected in the first place. The numbers of these cases are increasing and insecurity is moving it claws to other towns. Something needs to be done and the government needs to take up that responsibility.

It has gone wrong already and the government must recognise that reality. The major part of solving a problem is knowing it exists. As the people of Oke-ogun continues to breathe in the atmosphere of fear and terror while waiting for the dark clouds to pass, the question remains thus; if not now, then when?

Oke Ogun should not become a den of Kidnappers and bandits. It will slow processes, possibly go wild and more terrific. We need to act now and fast.

We can not continue to experienced an attack and the act of kidnapping to happen in our region. A region battling underdevelopment should not face banditry again.

It is, therefore, very imperative that the governments and other security stakeholders should swing into action by quick intervention.

The Oyo state government must activate all necessary authorities and resources to curb these invasion of our region before they succeeded in their plan. All security agencies should be at alert. Search, arrest and prosecute those who wants to turn Oke Ogun to a den of kidnapping. All lovers of peace and freedom should rise against this act of invasion of our region.

The ODCF must resolved to defend its people, their property, and all legitimate means of livelihood against both internal and external aggression. I call on our people, the residents of Oke Ogun to also remain vigilant, because curbing of crime is a collective responsibility, we should report any suspicious movement, activities and strange faces in our area to security agencies for prompt action.

In addition, we must be united in the task of defending our lives and properties. Let help the security personnel to help us. It is a collective responsibility.

Adesina Julius write as a concern resident of Oke Ogun

The Chairman, Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA), Hon. Abideen Adeaga has commended the prompt action taken by the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde over the explosion that rocked Bodija area of Ibadan on Tuesday.

The explosion which occurred in the early evening of Tuesday has been confirmed to have damaged over fifty residential buildings in the area and caused the death of two people while many people were injured.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday afternoon and signed by Adeaga, he said the cause of the incident would have still remained in the realm of conjectures, had the governor not visited the site on Wednesday evening.

Reports emanating from different news media platforms indicated that the explosion was as a result of dynamites kept in a residential building, used for illegal mining in the State.

He therefore called on the police authority to commence investigation into the causes of the incident and make prompt arrest of those behind it, to serve as deterrent to others that engage in such illegal activities.

“While consoling the people of Oyo State and our dear governor over the sad occurrence, I wish to commend his promptness to visit the scene of the incident immediately after it happened, this is a sign of a good leader and he has made it a clear path for us to follow.

“We urge the police authority to quickly swing into action and find out the cause of the incident and bring into book, the perpetrators, so as to deter others in the same business.”

Ibadan was shocked early Tuesday evening when an booming noise took over the whole city, leading to rumors of earthquake while others were alluding to explosion from a popular gas plant, until the visit of the governor exposed the real cause of the incident.

Oyo Government has appealed for calm due to the recent explosion that just rocked Ibadan.

This was contained in a statement made available by Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelami as read in part:

“Residents of Ibadan and immediate environ experienced an uncommon explosion about 8pm this evening.

There are various interpretations of the incident but it is important for us to state categorically that the state government has taken over and in the full control of the unfortunate occurrence in in order to mitigate the incident.

All security service chiefs including para military chiefs and Fire Operatives have been deployed by the governor to Reign in the spillover from the explosion.

His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde therefore implores citizens to calm down and be rest assured that their interests are being looked after”.

Agbarada Prayer Mountain Ado Awaye, Oyo State has invited the general public to her annual prophetic conference tagged voice of the prophet (Ohun Awon Woli) coming up from Monday 29 January to Friday 2 February 2024 day and night.

The theme of the year programme is GLAD TIDINGS ( Iroyin Ayo). A special ROYAL NIGHT comes up on Friday 2nd if February starting from 9pm till dawn to be led by
His Royal Majesty, oba REVD ADEMOLA OLUGBILE.

FOLAKANMI, the Alado of Ado Awaye who also doubled as the founder of the Prayer Mountain and other guest ministers shall be in attendance to lead spiritual prayers.

The Lagos State Taskforce has ramped up its efforts to curb the activities of illegal motorcycle operators, popularly known as “okada,” across the metropolis. In a week-long crackdown, the agency seized hundreds of bikes and issued a firm warning to both riders and their patrons.

CSP Shola Jejeloye, chairman of the Taskforce, led the operation, targeting critical areas like Abule Ado, Lagos Island, Berger/Grammar School, and Abule Egba. A total of 344 motorcycles were impounded, sending a clear message to recalcitrant riders who continue to violate the ban on their operations in specific routes and Local Government Areas.

“We are committed to putting an end to okada operations in Lagos,” Jejeloye declared. “There is a clear ban in place, and we will not allow them to operate with impunity. Our goal is to make Lagos roads safe for everyone, and that includes eradicating the dangers posed by illegal okada.”

The crackdown extended beyond riders, with Jejeloye issuing a stern warning to uniformed personnel caught abetting the illegal activity. “There will be no sacred cows,” he asserted. “Any officer caught using okada for commercial purposes will face serious consequences. We are supposed to be upholding the law, not breaking it.”

His message to stubborn riders was equally pointed: “Do not test the might of the Taskforce. We are more determined than ever to see the end of okada operations in Lagos. Anyone caught violating the ban will face the full extent of the law.”

Jejeloye emphasized the Taskforce’s commitment to a zero-tolerance approach in 2024. “Our resolve is unwavering,” he stated. “The days of violators getting away with impunity through ‘man-know-man’ or ‘godfatherism’ are over. Enough is enough.”

He urged Lagosians to collaborate with the government in achieving this goal. “We implore residents to stop patronizing okada operators on banned routes,” he appealed. “Let’s work together to make our roads safe and accessible for everyone.”

The Lagos State Taskforce’s aggressive campaign against illegal okada operations marks a significant escalation in the ongoing effort to improve safety and traffic flow in the metropolis. Only time will tell if their resolve will prove sufficient to eradicate the problem entirely, but their message and actions are a clear testament to their commitment to a safer Lagos for all.

Members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly on Thursday visited their counterparts at the Lagos State House of Assembly,Nigeria.

The understudy visit afforded both Houses of Assembly to exchange notes, comparing and contrasting their best practices for legislature in Nigeria.

The Zamfara delegation led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Bilyaminu Isma’il, expressed how this visit’s insights will not only promote stronger legislative practices in Zamfara but also foster valuable inter-state collaboration.

To truly understand the workings of their Lagos counterparts, the delegation immersed themselves in interactive sessions, eager to glean knowledge and enhance their own legislative framework.