Ibadan Explosion: Yoruba Obas Forum commiserates with Makinde, Olubadan, Oyo people …calls on government to work with monarchs against illegal mining activities in the country. By Chris Onuoha The Yoruba Obas Forum (YOF) have expressed their heart-felt sympathy to the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Olubadan of Ibadan, His Royal Majesty, Oba Olalekan Balogun and Bodija residents in Ibadan who were mostly affected by the tragic explosion that rocked the town on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. In a press release jointly signed by the Administrator / National Deputy President of the Forum, HRM, Oba (dr) Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawaya II, the Elerinmo of Erinmo Land and the National Secretary, HRM, Oba Dr Abdulrasaq Adebayo Abioye, JP, GCOP, (Ilufemiloye 1), Olukotun of Ikotun-Ile, Kwara State, stating that it is very painful to have lost lives in the tragic explosion that happened on Tuesday. The Forum added that whether it is by design or by omission, lives are lost which is irreplaceable, while commiserating with the families of the deceased and injured. “YOF commiserate with the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde on the tragic explosion that rocked Bodija, Ibadan on Tuesday and also commend his quick intervention to save more lives. “We also expressed our heartfelt sympathy to the Olubadan of Ibadan, HRM, Oba Olalekan Balogun and the people of Oyo State in general. “However, Yoruba Obas Forum wish to reiterate its call on government to engage traditional rulers in grassroot governance. “It is now time for government to work with traditional rulers and monarchs to mitigate against the rising trend of illegal mining of natural resources going on daily in our localities. This illegal mining has been going on purpotedly by foreigners and locals unabated. And the IED explosion which occured in Ibadan should be a tip of an iceberg, exposing the activities of these illegal miners and dangers it portend to the host communities and society at large. “We therefore, urge the government to heed to our calls and engage the services of traditional rulers as the custodian of peoples’ heritage and common wealth to fight this evil act, and bring sanity to the society,” it stated.