The Oyo State Government has announced plans to build a memorial site at Dejo Oyelese Close, Adeyi Avenue, Ibadan, to honour victims of the tragic Bodija explosion that occurred on January 16, 2024.
Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed this in his latest newsletter marking the first anniversary of the disaster.
Speaking about the initiative, Governor Makinde stated, “We know that nothing can bring back those we lost, but we will build a memorial at the site later this year.”
He added that the government has taken steps to support affected families.
“The committee I inaugurated to oversee the disbursement of financial support to victims last month has submitted its report. Disbursements will be made within the next two weeks,” he said.
The governor also highlighted ongoing rehabilitation efforts in the area. “We have started rehabilitating the roads in the area as part of our efforts to fix some of the damage done.”
In a bid to prevent future tragedies, Makinde reiterated his commitment to public safety, saying, “We will continue to invest in the security of lives and properties of our people to ensure that preventable disasters like this do not repeat themselves.”
He revealed that measures such as Executive Order 001, 2024, on the Safe Handling and Storage of Harmful Substances had been implemented.
He urged residents to support security agencies, saying, “If you see something, please say something so the relevant authorities can do something.”
The explosion, which shocked the community last year, led to arrests and an ongoing court case.
“Those directly involved in the storage of explosives in that residential area have been arrested, and the case is being prosecuted at the Federal High Court, Ibadan,” he stated.
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