- Safiu Kehinde
Residents of Bodija Estate in Ibadan, Oyo state, are set to mark the first anniversary of the tragic explosion that killed five persons and injured 78 others.
The residents of the Estate will, on Thursday, converge in a memorial service over the tragic incident which occured on the 16th of January 2024.
According to report, the memorial service will be held in form of an interdenominational service at Bodija Estate Baptist Church at 1 p.m. to honour the five lives lost and to appreciate God for the survival of the 78 individuals injured in the incident.
Pastor of the church, Dr Julius Okanlawon, will preside over the service which is expected to be attended by relatives and friends of the victims.
Recall that the cause of the explosion was traced to an apartment where suspected illegal miners had stored explosives which detonated with its impact felt kilometers away from the epicenter of the explosion.
Recounting the incident, the Chairman of the Bodija Estate Explosion Remembrance Planning Committee, Moses Oluwatayo, in a statement issued yesterday reminisced on the damages and loss of lives recorded during the explosion.
“About a year ago, precisely on 16th January 2024, at about 1930hrs, Bodija Estate experienced an unprecedented explosion that affected lives and properties.
“It will be 365 days since the event happened, on Thursday. Five lives were lost during the event, and as a community, we wish to come together to appreciate their lives.” Oluwatayo said.
Meanwhile, following the church service, a candlelight vigil for the dead will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Number 8 Aderinola Street, the epicentre of the explosion, to create a reflective atmosphere.
The remembrance will continue on Friday with a Jumat prayer at the Bodija Estate Islamic Centre/Mosque at 2 p.m., where Islamic clerics will offer prayers for the victims’ families, the peace of the community, and the prevention of similar tragedies.
On his part, the President of the Bodija Estate Residents’ Association, Muyiwa Bamgbose, revealed that families, friends, and public officials had been invited to the events.
He also noted the community’s anticipation of the state government’s promises to provide financial support for victims and construct a monument at the blast site to serve as a lasting reminder of the January 16, 2024, explosion.