Ajimobi Visits Ibadan Fire Victims, Pledges Govt.'s Assistance

SAN FRANCISCO, April 23, (THEWILL) - Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, on Tuesday, paid a sympathy visit to Ode-Oolo, Inalende and Omitowoju Areas of Ibadan gutted by fire when a fuel-laden tanker spilled its content on Monday evening, pledging government’s assistance to the victims.

The governor was also moved by the extent of injury sustained by one of the landlords in the area, Alhaji Yinusa Ajibade and directed the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, to immediately arrange for his treatment at government’s expense.

Governor Ajimobi was welcomed to the affected areas by thousands of residents, sympathizers and those who lost their property to the inferno.

It was a gory sight as the governor took time to inspect, one after the other, the various houses and shops affected by the inferno, most of which were burnt to ashes, before addressing the residents and the victims.

While describing the situation as “most unfortunate”, Governor Ajimobi said he could feel the pains of the victims as he had also experienced a similar incident in 1992 when his newly-built house in Lagos was reduced to rubbles by fire.

He, however, admonished them to see the incident as an act of God, adding that they should even give thanks to God that no life was lost.

“My coming here is not to exploit the fire incident to campaign but to most sincerely sympathize with you. I know how painful it could be losing one’s means of livelihood to a raging fire because I was once involved too. But we should take solace in the fact that no life was lost.

“You should also have faith in God that He is able to replenish your lost property in multiple fold,’’ the governor said.

Governor Ajimobi told those affected that he had asked some officials of government to compile their names and indicate the property lost to the fire, warning them however to be honest in the compilation in order not to jeopardize government’s plans towards them.

One of the leaders of the community, Mr. Joel Adewumi expressed appreciation for the prompt visit of the governor to sympathize with them, assuring that he would prevail on the residents to maintain clean environment.