Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has officially inaugurated a committee to oversee the management and disbursement of relief funds for victims of the Bodija explosion. The governor emphasized the importance of transparency in delivering support to those affected by the tragic incident.

In a ceremony held on Tuesday, the governor tasked the 10-member committee with ensuring that the relief funds are properly allocated to individuals who suffered property losses in the January 16, 2024 explosion on Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija, Ibadan. Investigations revealed that the explosion resulted from the illegal storage of mining devices.

Governor Makinde clarified that the assistance being provided is not compensation but rather support for affected individuals. He assured residents that his administration remains committed to doing the right thing for the people of Oyo State. Additionally, the governor announced plans to repair the road leading to the explosion site and erect a monument in remembrance of the incident.

The governor expressed gratitude to professional bodies that collaborated with the state during the aftermath of the explosion and urged the committee to work efficiently, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed.

The committee, chaired by Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, includes notable figures such as former Deputy Governor Chief Iyiola Oladokun, Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, Alhaji Gafar Bello, and Mrs. Ojuolape Busari, among others. Representatives from professional associations, including the Nigerian Bar Association, Nigeria Union of Journalists, and Nigerian Society of Engineers, are also part of the committee.

Prominent attendees at the inauguration included former Oyo State Deputy Governor Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi, Chief Mrs. Mutiat Ladoja, Senator Monsurat Sumonu, and Chief of Staff Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi. Other dignitaries included retired CP Fatai Owoseni, Oyo State PDP Secretary Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke, Chief Wole Oyelese, and Hon. Sikiru Sanda, along with several commissioners and senior government officials.