Niyi Akintola Recounts How Ibadan Explosion Damaged His Hotel

Eko Hot Blog reports that a renowned legal luminary Niyi Akinola SAN has narrated how the explosion that rocked Ibadan on Tuesday wrecked havoc at his multimillion Naira hotel.

In a write up posted on his social media page on Thursday, the Senior Advocate Of Nigeria narrated that the explosion caused great damage to his hotel and other establishments owned by prominent personalities such as Late Chief Bola Ige SAN, the late Chief Bandele Aiku SAN, late Governor of Ondo state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN among others.

He added that some hotel guests and three staff members are still undergoing treatment at Healthcare center.

Calling on the federal government to ensure restructuring of the country for true Federalism, Akintola noted that State Governors are unaware of the activity of illegal miners operating in their state.

He decried the activities of illegal Chinese miners who imports explosives to the country with reckless abandon.

Full statement

“This is what remains of my modest contributions to hospitality businesses in Ibadaland just after the explosions of last night in Bodija. It is a posh hotel in a posh area known as ‘House 40” on Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija.

“I recalled that some of our colleagues on this platform who had at one time enjoyed the hospitality of the modest 24 beds which include 8 suites, 3 chalets and 13 standard rooms are Alariwo, Wole Iyamu SAN, H,E. Iyiola Oladokun (whose residence) that shared a fence with my house 40 was completely destroyed.”

“Other members of the Bar whose properties were destroyed on the street include the Late Chief Bola Ige SAN, the late Chief Bandele Aiku SA, and an hospitality building said to belong to the late Governor of Ondo state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN.”

“My 3 Other properties on Alabiamo Street, Adeyi Street and Adenuga Street were also slightly damaged with removed roof, removed POP ceilings, sliding doors, air-conditionals and several electrical applications. Oh my God, it is terrible. As I write this with my hands trembling, some guests and 3 hotel staff are in the hospital but we thank God that no casuality was recorded. What a way to start a new year? I need your prayers please.

“Let everyone intensify efforts on restructuring the country. Let FGN let go Solid minerals and hand over the same to the states. Solid minerals should leave the exclusive list for the concurrent.

With the geometric discovery of Solid minerals in practically all the states of the Federation, the issuance of licence to import explosives should be left to the state governors who will know what quantity of explosives entered their states and when.”

“As it is today , no state government knows when a licence is issued to our new colonial masters called Chinese who import explosives into the country with reckless abandon. Those who stored the explosives in Bodija Ibadan were said to be Chinese who are engaged in Solid minerals exploitation in Oyo state.

The state governor knows nothing about issuance of Licence and grants of authority to import explosives. What a country? I just did a write up to Dr Dele Alake the Solid minerals Minister to lodge a complaint. The FGN should just let off Solid minerals. They are too many and too numerous to be managed by the central government.”

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