By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Oyo State government has approved the sum of ₦4.5 billion as financial support to survivors and victims of the Bodija explosion which occurred on January 16, 2024.
The decision was taken at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office on Wednesday, May 14.
The state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, who gave the report, said this was apart from the over ₦200 million that the state government had expended on accommodation, feeding, hospital and security bills, following the tragic incident.
Also, the Council approved the recommendation of the 10-man committee set up to revoke the titles of two properties off Adeyi Avenue, scene of the explosion, “in the overall interest of the public.”
The committee also said government should build a monument on the location of the revoked land in memory of victims of the tragedy.
“The Council frowned at the spate of disinformation, half-truths and mischievous lies being peddled by persons purportedly representing the residents on the role which the state government has played in the Bodija explosion saga.
“Council said such insinuations are unfair and mischievous and the government will not be discouraged in taking its time to do what is just for her citizens,” Oyelade said.
The Commissioner said some beneficiaries were engaged in family disputes, which required painstaking intervention of the committee.
He said the government would also return to the owners and other properties adjoining ground zero to rebuild their homes on the advice of government-paid structural engineers.
According to the Commissioner, “government will, through the Ministry of Justice, ensure effective prosecution of the suspects so far arraigned in court, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend other suspects linked to the case but are at large.
“During the Executive Session, the Governor advised the citizens to discountenance any rumour concerning the current cabinet reshuffle.
“The Governor said he took the decision to discourage ministerial complacency and to assure the people that he plans to end the tenure of his administration in 2027 with the same zeal with which he started in 2019.
“The Governor said he does not plan to drop any member of his cabinet, except anyone who is found to be distracted.
“He said the decision to reshuffle was done to inject fresh efficiency into the system going forward,” he explained.
Oyo Ready To Export Food, Earn Hard Currency
In a related development, the State government has launched export-ready, value-added food products aimed at boosting agro-industrialisation and expanding the state’s footprint in regional and continental trade.
According to a statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Oyelade, on Wednesday, the products unveiled by the Agricultural Exporting Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society at the Conference Room, Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Secretariat Agodi, Ibadan were processed yam, cassava and plantain flour packaged for export and local consumption.
The government also inaugurated a new Board of Directors for the Association of Nigeria Cooperative Exporters (ANCE) Limited, as part of its ongoing cooperative reforms.
Speaking during the event, the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives (TIIC), Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi, hinted that the Ministry would soon establish a Directorate of Quality Control to ensure standardisation of export products.
Adebisi, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Mamud Okesade, said the need to reform cooperative structures to meet present-day realities and investor expectations could not be overemphasised.
Adebisi urged the new board to embrace transparency and unity, with a view to unlocking opportunities in the global export space.
He assured the new board of continued government support in achieving their performance milestones.
Representatives from key agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), and the Bank of Agriculture, commended members of the association for the structure put in place and compliance to the regulations guiding their operations nationwide.
They pledged to support the association through funding, technical guidance, and trade facilitation programme.
The newly-elected ANCE President, Chief Kola Olomoyoyo, promised to build on the achievements of his predecessor, under whom the cooperative stabilised its cocoa and palm kernel export base and diversified into livestock feed and bottled water production.
Highlights of the event included the unveiling of a strategic plan to modernise operations, expand value chains, and attract local and foreign investment.
