By Adesina Soyooye
“What a way to start the New Year. I need your prayers, please” – Niyi Akintola, SAN
For the mourning family of the late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, it was another loss on Tuesday to the fatal Ibadan blast which claimed lives, injured scores and rendered over more scores people homeless. Billions of Naira were lost to the blast.
The family, still mourning the death of their patriarch lost a property to the blast. The property lost was a hospitality building.
This was revealed by Niyi Akintola, SAN, who, himself, lost his posh hotel- a 24-bed concern made up of eight suites, three chalets, and 13 standard rooms.
Other prominent Nigerians who lost properties to the blast include the late Chief Bola Ige and HE Iyiola Oladokun among others.
In a post where he bemoaned his fate, Akintola, the legal luminary wrote:
“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 . Bodiam.
“I recall 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 SAN, 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.
“NIYI AKINTOLA, SAN”
The Nation was jolted when a monumental blast, said to be the handiwork of illegal miners, wreaked unprecedented havoc in Ibadan, Oyo State.
As the Country mourns, President Bola Tinubu has ordered a thorough investigation into the tragic incident.
