Traditional rulers from all five geographical zones of Oyo State have reaffirmed their support for the state government’s efforts to combat illegal mining in various parts of the state.
The monarchs spoke while briefing reporters in the Governor’s Office’s Press Conference Room, following a closed-door meeting with the governor.
The Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, who spoke on behalf of the monarchs commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his “swift response” to last week’s explosion in Ibadan.
While commiserating with the victims, the governor, and the people of the state, the monarch assured them that traditional rulers in the state have resolved to strengthen their support for the state government through communication and intelligence sharing in order to combat the state’s illegal mining menace.
Oba Alao lauded the governor for being proactive in his approach to disaster management, most especially in the recent explosion that has left some dead and many injured, noting that the traditional rulers swung into action after the incident of the Ibadan explosion and have identified critical areas that require urgent supportive attention.
The monarch listed the identified areas to include security lapse, medical, and humanitarian challenges, saying, however, that governor Makinde had already put measures in place to address the critical areas adequately and the monarchs were proud of the governor.
Other traditional rulers in attendance at the briefing include, Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun who was represented by Oba Tajudeen Ajibola and Oba Hamidu Ajibade; the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola; and the Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi.
Others are, Onpetu of Ijeruland, Oba Sunday Oyediran; Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye; Akibio of Ilora, Oba Steven Oyeniyi; Iba of Kisi, Oba Moshod Lawal; Bashorun of Oyo, High Chief Akinade Ayoola; and Onilala of Lanlate, Oba Sunday Oladejo.
The Tuesday explosion on Dejo Oyelese Street, Adeyi Area, Old Bodija, Ibadan killed five people and destroyed houses worth hundreds of millions of naira.
Preliminary investigations identified explosives stashed by illicit miners as the immediate source of the explosion.
