The Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA) and victims of the January 16, 2024, explosion in the area have passed a vote of confidence on Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose-led executives, faulting the Oyo State Government’s statement, which cast aspersions on the leadership of the association.

It would be recalled that the state government, in a release, claimed that some leaders of the association were not recognised.

The BERA also alleged that its representatives were not carried along prior to the approval of the N4.5 billion by the state government.

It would be recalled that the State government had on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, through a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, announced the approval of N4.5 billion as support funds from the state government to the victims of the explosion.

The statement noted that the State Executive Council also approved the building of monuments on the revoked land in memory of those who lost their lives in the incident.

Oyelade, in a statement on the outcome of the meeting, said the approved fund is aside from the over N200 million that the state government had expended on accommodation, feeding, hospital, and security bills following the tragic incident.

It added that the Council had approved the recommendation of the 10-man committee to revoke the title of two properties off Adeyi Avenue, scene of the explosion, in the overall interest of the public.

While reacting to the government statement shortly after their monthly meeting held at Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija, BERA urged the state government to always carry along their executive members in any meeting concerning their welfare.

BERA members include all the affected victims of the explosion. The association expressed its satisfaction with the members of the executive led by Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, a former president of BERA, Dr. Adesegun Obajimi, said: “What we have come to do today is to re-emphasise our confidence in the executive body we have put in place.

“The purported representative referred to in the bulletin by the state government does not appear to be our recognised president. We have our own executive team in whom we have absolute confidence, and our presence here today is to reinforce that trust.”

While speaking on the approval of N4.5 billion by the state government, Obajimi said, “Our representatives were not carried along prior to the approval of the N4.5 billion, so we are just hearing about it now.

“However, it is a welcome development. That said, now that it has been announced, we expect clear communication on when the disbursement will begin. The earlier, the better. We have waited for too long and are very enthusiastic about it.”

Also, the representative of the affected victims in Ekiti and Osun area of Bodija, who also doubles as the Chairman, Association of Residents of Ekiti and Osun Area, Old Bodija, Ibadan, Deacon Olubondon Oke, insisted that government must always carry along BERA executive whenever they want to make any decisions about the affected victims.

Oke said: “As a representative of our area, we were all affected by the explosion that occurred on January 16 last year. Every month, we hold meetings where residents ask about the government’s response, and we always reassure them that BERA, which is the apex body of the Old Bodija community, is following up on the matter.

“Recently, we heard that some funds have been approved, and we are very pleased. We appreciate the government’s response. What residents are now expecting is the disbursement, so we can finally put this traumatic experience behind us.

“It’s been over a year now. Victims are still alive and struggling, aside from those who lost their lives in the incident. Properties were damaged, lives were disrupted. Speaking personally, my house was badly damaged and I had to spend a significant amount of money to repair it, just like many others.

“We have absolute confidence in BERA’s leadership. They have represented us well.” Oke said.

Another victim of the explosion, Architect Folu Bademosi, urged the state government to expedite action on whatever they want to do for the victims of the explosion. He said, “I live in Bodija and was directly affected by the blast. My house was close to the epicentre. I had to stay in a hospital and then in a hotel for three months; it was a major catastrophe.

Bademosi said: “Regarding the monument the government plans to build, there is some confusion. We’re not certain whether it will be built on two plots or specifically on the property where the incident occurred, property A and B, because it’s a semi-detached structure.

“While we understand it is meant to memorialise those who lost their lives in the blast, the cenotaph or monument should not take precedence over the welfare of the people. Whatever plans the government has for us, they should implement them quickly. Many of us have spent millions of naira to repair our homes. We cannot continue staying in hotels. Some residents are still displaced and want to return to their homes.

“The government should not revoke anyone’s property. They should restore these properties and allow residents to return. Some of these homeowners are retirees, and that is the only property they have. Where else are they supposed to start from? There are still open lands available for the monument; people’s homes should not be touched.

“More importantly, the N4.5 billion announced should be properly communicated to us through our leadership. We need clarity on how and when it will be disbursed. Yes, a committee was set up, but it hasn’t done much yet. A committee should not just submit a report, get approval, and vanish. It must ensure the process is executed successfully before being dissolved.

“We were part of the committee that submitted the report, which the government acted on. That action is still in the news. So, the committee should reconvene, update us on the government’s stance, and tell us how the fund will be disbursed. Then we, in turn, can report to our people.”