Victims of the devastating explosion in Ibadan on Tuesday night, which killed three and damaged many properties, are calling for urgent humanitarian assistance from the Federal Government.
The affected residents, youths and women, many of whom lost their small businesses to the blast, are appealing to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the suspended Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu.
Counting on her passion on the job, the victims believe that Dr Edu would have visited them within 24 hours to offer sympathy and relief on behalf of the government.
Mrs. Modinat Ojulari, whose kiosk and grinding machine were destroyed, expressed her distress over her loss while pleading for government assistance.
Ojulari said she received the grinding machine from Dr Edu, when she was the APC National Women Leader, during the pre-presidential campaign in Ibadan. She urged President Tinubu to reconsider Edu’s suspension, especially for the sake of the under-privileged and impoverished Nigerians.
Kafayat Alabelewe who resides in Agodi said she has heard of Dr. Edu’s passion to help the vulnerable.
“I’ve heard about her efforts to aid the poor and those affected by tragedies like this explosion. I believe she would have been here promptly to comfort us and distribute relief materials.
“I’ve lost everything I depend on for my livelihood. I implore President Tinubu to bring Dr. Edu back so she can assist us,” said Mrs. Alabelewe, an unemployed NCE holder, amidst tears.
Waisu Ogunmola, a 26-year-old whose carpentry workshop was also destroyed, lamented the loss of his clients’ completed work and his tools.
“My future looks bleak. Who will come to my aid? We need the Federal Gpvernment’s support. We urge President Tinubu to swiftly pardon the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, reinstate her, and dispatch her to help us. She has helped others before; we hope our situation will not be an exception,” pleaded Ogunlesi, who has an Ordinary National Diploma certificate.
