Hon. Oluwatobi Ogunbayo sympathises with Bode Market fire victims, urges emergency support as Oyo Fire Service begins investigation into the blaze.
The House of Representatives aspirant for the Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency, Hon. Oluwatobi John Ogunbayo, has expressed deep sympathy to traders and business owners affected by the devastating fire that ravaged sections of the popular Bode Market in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The fire, which destroyed numerous shops and goods estimated to be worth millions of naira, has left many traders counting heavy losses and raised concerns over the economic impact on families whose livelihoods depend entirely on daily market activities.
Reacting to the incident, Ogunbayo described the disaster as a painful setback not only for the affected traders but also for the wider business community in Ibadan.
He noted that many victims had invested years of hard work and personal savings into building their businesses, making the destruction particularly heartbreaking.
“I received the news of the unfortunate fire with great sadness. My thoughts and prayers are with every trader who lost shops, goods and valuable investments in the incident. I can only imagine the emotional trauma and financial burden many families are currently facing after seeing years of hard work reduced to ashes,” Ogunbayo said.
The federal lawmaker hopeful stressed that moments like this require compassion and collective support from government institutions, corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians.
According to him, helping affected traders recover quickly will not only restore livelihoods but also strengthen economic activities within the state.
He therefore appealed to the Oyo State Government to provide immediate relief materials and financial assistance to those affected. He also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), humanitarian organisations, philanthropic individuals and private sector stakeholders to support victims with emergency interventions that would enable them to rebuild their businesses.
Ogunbayo further encouraged the affected traders not to lose hope despite the magnitude of their losses. He assured them that they were not alone during this difficult period, expressing confidence that with adequate support and determination, they would recover from the unfortunate incident.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Fire Service has commenced a post-fire investigation to determine the cause of the inferno that gutted parts of the busy Bode Market in the early hours of Friday.
The Director of Operations of the Oyo State Fire Service, Mr. Ismail Adeleke, disclosed that the fire had spread extensively before firefighters arrived at the scene, making rescue operations more challenging.
He explained that emergency responders battled the flames for approximately five hours before successfully bringing the situation under complete control.
According to Adeleke, investigators are yet to establish the exact cause of the fire, adding that a comprehensive post-fire assessment is already underway to determine what triggered the devastating incident and recommend measures that could help prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Ogunbayo commended the dedication and professionalism displayed by firefighters, other emergency responders and residents who joined efforts to contain the blaze and minimise further destruction.
He said their courage and swift intervention deserved recognition, especially considering the scale of the incident.
He also emphasised the need for authorities to strengthen fire prevention measures in major markets across Oyo State through improved safety awareness, regular inspections and the provision of adequate firefighting facilities capable of responding promptly to emergencies.
The aspirant concluded by praying for strength, comfort and divine restoration for every trader and family affected by the disaster.
He expressed hope that the victims would receive the necessary support to rebuild their businesses and return to normal commercial activities as soon as possible.
The fire incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of many public markets to disasters and underscored the importance of proactive safety measures, emergency preparedness and timely government intervention to protect lives, properties and the economic wellbeing of thousands of traders across the state.
BODE MARKET FIRE: OGUNBAYO CONSOLES AFFECTED TRADERS, URGES SWIFT RELIEF
Hon. Oluwatobi John Ogunbayo, Aspirant for the Ibadan North-West & South-West Federal Constituency, has expressed profound sympathy to traders and business owners affected by the devastating fire that razed parts of Bode Market in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.
Describing the incident as a major setback for the victims and the entire Ibadan business community, Ogunbayo said the destruction of shops and goods worth millions of naira has dealt a heavy blow to many families who depend on their daily businesses for survival.
"I received the news of the fire with great sadness. My heart goes out to every trader who lost goods, property, and years of hard work in the unfortunate incident. I can only imagine the emotional and financial pain this has caused," he said.
Ogunbayo commended the courage of emergency responders and residents who assisted in containing the fire, while calling for a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident to prevent a recurrence.
He also appealed to the Oyo State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), charitable organisations, and well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the affected traders through immediate relief and recovery support.
The House of Representatives aspirant encouraged the victims to remain hopeful despite the unfortunate loss, assuring them that the people of Ibadan stand with them during this difficult period.
He prayed for strength, comfort, and speedy restoration for all those affected by the disaster.
Signed:
Media Team
Hon. Oluwatobi John Ogunbayo
Aspirant, Ibadan North-West & South-West Federal Constituency
APC 2027
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