By Adeyinka Adeniran
The unfortunate explosion that occurred in Bodija Housing Estate, Ibadan about two weeks ago has been described as a wake-up call to the generality of the people on personal vigilance as well as call for more surveillance on the part of security agencies.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun made the remark while playing host to the representatives of Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, who were on a condolence visit to him in his Alarere residence over the incident on Wednesday.
It would be recalled that there was an explosion in the Old Bodija area of the Oyo State capital penultimate Tuesday evening rocked the entire metropolis and led to loss of lives with some residential buildings destroyed.
In a statement by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the monarch, Oladele Ogunsola, Oba Balogun, speaking through his Ajiroba, Prof. Chief Soji Adejumo recalled that the incident was very devastating and traumatic, noting that it was a wake-up call to all to remain vigilant.
According to him, “The unfortunate incident has woken all of us up to be more conscious of our environment just as it has placed burden on our security agencies to pay more attention to surveillance through constant patrol and intelligence gathering.
“I appreciate the concern of my brother Oba, the Owa Adimula of Ijesaland for identifying with us in this critical time and pray that God will help put an end to such unfortunate incident in Yorubaland and in Nigeria in general. I once again commiserate with the families of the victims of the incident and pray for their divine comfort by our creator.
“On behalf of myself, members of my Advisory Council, the Mogajis and Baales, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigene (CCII) and the good people of Ibadanland, both at home and in the diaspora, I thank my brother Owa and appreciate his sense of identification”, Oba Balogun said.
Oba Aromolaran through his second in command, Obaala and Odole Owa, High Chiefs Ibitoye Adeniyi and Adebola Orolugbagbe respectively commiserated with Olubadan and people of Ibadanland on the incident, saying that the explosion was not just an Ibadan affair, but that of the entire Yorubaland.
The monarch added, “Whatever happens or affects Ibadan affects the Yoruba race because the strategic position Ibadan occupies in Yorubaland cannot be over emphasized. This is the reason why I stand by Your Majesty and all the good people of Ibadanland and I want them to know that they are not alone in this trying times.
“It is our prayer that our good Lord will help protect our land just as I pray that He will comfort the bereaved families, grant repose for the souls of the departed and bestow quick recovery on the surviving victims”, Oba Aromolaran stated.
