President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the devastating explosion that occurred on Tuesday night in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The explosion killed two persons and wounded about 80 others. It also destroyed several buildings, vehicles, and other properties.
“It is worrisome that the cause of the blast is being attributed to the activities of illegal miners. Those behind the inexcusable and reckless behaviour that has created the conditions for the sad incident to occur must be fished out and punished,” the President said.
President Tinubu commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State and called on all concerned agencies of government to unravel the circumstances that led to the tragedy with alacrity.
The President directs the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to work with the Oyo State Government to offer immediate and comprehensive relief to the victims.
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday in Abuja thanked former President Muhammadu Buhari for his visionary leadership of Nigeria and commitment to probity, propriety, and service.
Speaking at the launch of two books on the former President; Working with Buhari: Reflections of a former Special Adviser to the President, Media & Publicity, by Femi Adesina, and Muhammadu Buhari: The Nigerian Legacy, by Dr. Udu Yakubu, President Tinubu said Buhari demonstrated integrity and transparency in leadership.
The President said the former President has kept his word not to interfere in government matters after leaving office.
“When you left office, you left a lot of pens and files for me for continuity. I inherited the liabilities and assets of my predecessor.
“You told me it will be difficult to please everyone as a leader. You advised that I should work hard and satisfy my conscience,” he said.
President Tinubu stated that former President Buhari inherited a tottering economy and an overwhelming security situation, but that the former President was able to start the process that would guarantee stability.
“I am glad that history has been reintroduced in our schools, and this will be part of our curriculum,’’ the President said on the books.
Describing former President Buhari as an organized and disciplined person, President Tinubu urged him to continue to be a pillar of the nation’s development, even after retirement.
Earlier in his remarks, former President Buhari thanked the President for attending the event, highlighting some of the peculiarities of the office, which include the likelihood of being misinterpreted and misunderstood.
“We kept records of our stewardship. This event is part of accounting for our two terms in office. Government is a continuum. You run and hand over to the next person,” Buhari said.
The Chairman of the occasion, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, commended the former President for actions taken to buoy the economy, contain insecurity, and stabilize the polity.
“You handed over to President Tinubu; it was great. It was really great to hand over to President Tinubu, another great leader who will give Nigeria a new direction,” General Gowon added.
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the recent spate of kidnappings and bandit attacks, describing the development as disturbing, ungodly, and sinister.
Speaking when he received a delegation of Jam’iyyatu Ansaridden, a highly respected Islamic Movement, at the State House, in Abuja on Tuesday, President Tinubu said while security agencies are acting with dispatch to immediately address the current challenge, all required resources, policies and plans will be rolled out soon for the massive education of Nigerian youths.
The President said education is the antidote to the troubles agitating the nation, adding: “There is no weapon against poverty that is as potent as learning.
“I can assure you that we are here to change the life of our people. We are here to promote peace, stability, and economic prosperity.
“We are dedicated to building a lasting peace with a focus on the comprehensive education of our children. We will get our teachers and their owners involved in an education process that will be relevant to the future of this country. It is important. Knowledge brought me here with your prayers and your support. Without knowledge, there is nothing to generate hope for mankind,” President Tinubu said.
The President also emphasized that it was important to promote updated knowledge through existing islamic learning institutions for youths in Northern Nigeria to speed up development in the region, in Nigeria, and throughout Africa.
“Please embark on special prayers. Embark on proper education for our youths. Kidnapping and banditry are not the way of God. Shedding each other’s blood is bad. And there can be no development without peace. It is only in the area of peace that we can eliminate poverty. We must work for peace in order for our economy to grow better,” the President concluded.
In his remarks, the Jam’iyyatu Ansaridden leader, Sheikh Muhammad Lamine Niass encouraged the President to continue implementing his reform initiatives while affirming that his movement, which is reputed for its promotion of peace and tolerance, would continue to pray for Nigeria’s peaceful development.
Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde, has directed medical personnel across Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, to treat all victims of the explosion that rocked the city, Tuesday night, on the government’s bill.
The Governor gave this directive when he visited the site of the explosion in Bodija few hours after the incident.
Makinde, in a facebook post, said: “We visited the scene of the explosion which occurred at about 7.44 pm yesterday, 16 January, 2024 in Bodija, Ibadan. This unfortunate incident resulted in death and injury to residents in the vicinity and also affected properties.
“We have already deployed first responders and all relevant agencies within Oyo State to carry out comprehensive search and rescue operations. These operations will continue throughout the night.
“Earth moving equipment, ambulances, emergency lights, and security were deployed to the scene of the incident.
“The wounded and injured are being treated and moved to public and private hospitals within Ibadan. Medical personnel are on standby at these hospitals to provide all needed assistance to the injured. We have visited UCH to see some of those injured during the incident.
“In total, we have 77 injured victims so far, most of whom were treated and discharged and 2 fatalities. May their souls rest in peace and may God give their loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
The Governor said he has “directed that the medical bills of all victims be covered by the government. We will also be providing temporary accommodation for those whose houses were affected and ensuring that they are supported to rebuild their lives.
“Preliminary investigations by the security agencies revealed that illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija had stored explosive devices there which caused the blast. The investigations are ongoing. All those found culpable for this will be brought to book.”
He urged all residents to “please call 615 for any emergencies they may be experiencing at this time and to remain calm and stay away from the immediate scene of the incident to allow rescue operations to be carried out without interference.”
Governor Makinde thanked all first responders, security personnel and all those who are at the scene to assist with the rescue operations as well as the medical personnel taking care of the injured.
He appealed to residents of the state to “say a prayer for those who have been affected” by the disaster as rescue operations continue.
Omobobola Ojuetimi of Ondo State has emerged the best female 200 metres runner at the primary school level, in south-west Nigeria.
She beat all her taller counterparts from Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Lagos and Ogun to win the gold medal at the Basic Education School Sports (BESS) for the geopolitical zone at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti.
Monday Ogooyinbo clinched the silver medal in the male event just some microseconds behind the winner from Ogun State.
Toyin Afolabi competing in 100 metres for boys grabbed silver and Team Ondo’s third in the primary school competition.
Ondo State capped a remarkable day with the bronze medal clinched by Temikotan Oladunmoye in 100 metres girls.
The competition continues today with board games, Table Tennis, semifinals in Soccer and more Track events.
Panic enveloped Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday evening as explosion rocked some parts of the ancient city.
According to residents, a loud noise which pavaded the areas like a earth quake or explosion was heard in areas such as Bodija, Apete, Oke itunu (Mokola), Elebu, Kuola, Orita Challenge, Idi-Ishin and Odogbo Military Cantonment, Ojoo.
The residents narrated that the loud noise shook the foundation of their buildings thereby causing panic and damage.
The situation was more tensed at Bodija as a popular commercial centre Ace Mall was badly affected, with noticeable collapse including the Domino pizza outlet on the axis.
A close source at the University College Hospital, Ibadan narrated that the windows of the School of Nursing got shattered as the loud sound shook the entire building.
The UCH experience was also widespread in all the areas where the incident occurred as the quantum of building damaged caused panic to residents, thereby leaving the people into a guess work of a possible explosion or natural earth Quake.
Meanwhile, Oyo State governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has urged the residents to be calm following the explosion that rocked the town on Tuesday.
Read the full statement below.
Press Release
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.
Signed:
Prince Dotun Oyelade,
The Hon Commissioner for Information and orientation.
In line with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s approval, the Ondo state microcredit agency has disbursed 30 million naira to widows and dependents of fallen heroes.
At the flag-off of the interest-free loan disbursement during the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Akure, widows and dependents of departed servicemen appreciated Ondo state government for the intervention.
OSRC’s Zaheed Aribisala reports that Chairman, Ondo State MicroCredit Agency Nike Ademujimi urged the beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa says no efforts will be spared towards protecting the state and it’s people in a bid to promote economic prosperity.
Governor Aiyedatiwa at the grand finale of the 2024 Armed forces remembrance day celebration in Akure, the state capital appealed to well meaning individuals and corporate bodies to join hands with government to support and promote the welfare of dependants of the heroes past.
Aiyedatiwa who saluted the late governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s efforts at improving the security architecture of the state and the Southwest region, said his legacies will remain enduring.
Government House Correspondent, Wahab Bankole reports that the event was attended by top government functionaries, lawmakers, traditional rulers, serving and retired military officers.
Efforts of the Nigerian Military and other security agencies at maintaining national cohesion as well as global peace have been commended.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa at a Special Church Service, marking the 2024 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day, urged more support for the heroes past and their dependants.
Government House Correspondent, Wahab Bankole reports that the the 2nd Bible lesson was read by Governor Aiyedatiwa from the book of Philippians, Chapter 4, verses 8-13.
