Bodija Explosion: Makinde Charges Relief Fund Managers On Transparency

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has inaugurated the committee on the management and disbursement committee of the Bodija Explosion Relief Fund, which is in charge of ensuring transparency in carrying out their responsibilities to those who were affected by the incident.

Makinde inaugurated the 10-man committee on Tuesday. Its job was to oversee the management and disbursement of the relief fund to those who lost properties to the explosion.

It would be recalled that on January 16, 2024, an explosion rocked Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija Ibadan, which was later found to be due to illegal storage of mining devices.

Makinde stressed that the government supports the affected people, not compensation, noting that his administration is interested in doing the right thing for the state’s people.

He added that the road to Dejo Oyelese Street, the explosion scene, would be fixed, and a monument would be erected around the area.

The governor appreciated the various professional bodies that worked with the state when the incident happened for their support, charging them to incorporate people who would work efficiently with the committee and allocate resources where needed.

The committee was made up of the deputy governor of Oyo State, Barr Abdulraheem Lawal (chairman); a former deputy governor of Oyo State and chairman, Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group, Chief Iyiola Oladokun; Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, chairman, Bodija Estate Residents Association; Alhaji Gafar Bello, executive assistant on finance, budget and planning; Mrs Ojuolape Busari, secretary, Oyo State Emergency Management Agency.

Others were Mr Ibrahim Lawal, the nominee of the Nigerian Bar Association; Mr Oluseye Ojo, the nominee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists; Engr. Ibrahim Bello, the nominee of the Nigerian Society of Engineers; Mrs Arinola Olanipekun, the nominee of Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group; and Mr David Afolayan, the nominee of the Bodija Estate Residents Association.

In attendance at the inauguration was former deputy governor of Oyo State, Engr Hamid Gbadamosi; wife of former Oyo State governor, Mrs Mutiat Ladoja; former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sumonu; Chief of Staff to the governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; Commissioners and Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal.

Others were the special adviser to the governor on security, CP Fatai Owoseni (rtd); Oyo State PDP Secretary, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke; co-chairman of the Oyo State Elders’ Council, Chief Wole Oyelese; and chairman of local government chairmen in Oyo State, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, among other dignitaries.