An aspirant for the Ibadan South-East/Ibadan North-East Federal constituency in the 2023 general elections, Hon. Ademola Akeem Ige has sympathized with the traders and artisans whose shops were raised and lost their valuables during a fire incident that occurred at Molete/Olorunsogo barracks area at ward 12 in Ibadan South East Local government area recently, where not less than ten shops were burnt with goods like electronics, sewing machines, hairdryers, drinks, chemist – drugs, furniture and so on.
Hon. Ige stated this during his visit to the scene of the fire incident to commiserate with the victims, saying that such an incident was devastating considering the hardship and economic challenges that Nigerians are facing in recent times.
According to him, “it saddens me to hear this is happening at a time the Oyo State government is putting heads together to expand the economy of this state and put more money in the pockets of its citizenry.
”It is particularly painful that the incident happened in the dead of the night when many of the shop owners were fast asleep.
”I learnt about this incident through one of the PDP lovers who happened to be an indigene of this local government but based in the United States of America, Hon. Oluwole Ala.
My coming here was a follow up to the meeting I had with the victims in my office yesterday where I took them to the office of the state emergency agency (OyoSEMA) to facilitate some palliative materials for them from the government. So I’m here for an on the spot assessment and also to give them financial assistance within my capacity as a start-up before they get the government or any other individual’s assistance.”
Hon. Ademola Ige who was a former Chairman of Ibadan South East Local Government, State House of Assembly member and presently the Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, assured that the government of Engr. Seyi Makinde will not abandon them to their fate at this time.
He called on other well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of the victims who lost valuables worth millions of naira.
Hon. Ige who said his visit was not politically motivated, however, reminded the victims and other members of the communities that politicians will soon be coming to solicit their votes ahead of next year’s general elections, they should shine their eyes and examine the calibre of the politicians they will support before doing so.
Hon Ige further used the opportunity to call on those who have attained the voting age but are yet to get their permanent voters card (PVCs) to do so in order to decide their leaders in the next political dispensation.
Some of the victims in their remarks, Mrs Jimoh Oluwagbemisola, Adepoju Ibrahim, Olajide Bukola and Ibikunle Boluwatife appreciated the gesture of Hon. Ademola Ige described him as a very rare politician who has always been passionate about the welfare of his people ever since he was a council Chairman.
Hon. Ademola Ige was accompanied to the scene of the incident by some PDP stalwarts in Ibadan South East Local Government area.