For the congregation in Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, Church of Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan, Sunday, 28 September, 2025, can be considered exceptional.
The coronation thanksgiving mass of His Imperial Majesty, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja was held in the Archdiocese.
The Olubadan, his Oloris, Rashidat, Abibat and Bukola Ladoja were in the Church with members of the family, Olubadan in Council, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII and well wishers for the epoch making event.
In a congratulatory message, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese .of Ibadan, His Grace, Most Reverend Gabriel Abegunrin said, the historic milestones of Oba Ladoja was an eloquent testimony of the unfailing providence of the Almighty God who bestowed strength on him.
He prayed that God would continue to bless Oba Ladoja with good health and divine guidance to rule with justice, compassion and courage as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Also in attendance was Archbishop Emeritus of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Reverend Felix Alaba-Job.
Oba Rashidi Ladoja had on Friday 26th September 2025, received Staff of Office as Olubadan of Ibadanland from the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde in a ceremony graced by President Bola Tinubu and other eminent Nigerians including indigenes and non indigene of Ibadan at the Mapo Hall.
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has disclosed that illegal miners operating in the state were responsible for the explosion which occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.
He stated this following an on-the-spot assessment of the incident.
Governor Makinde noted that so far 77 persons were injured with two fatalities praying for the souls of the departed to rest in peace and for God to give their loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The governor said preliminary investigation has it that the illegal miners had stored explosive devices in one of the houses which caused the explosion while the wounded and injured are being treated and moved to public and private hospitals within Ibadan.
He said he has directed that the medical bills of all victims be covered by the government, noting that temporary accommodation would be provided for those whose houses were affected.
Governor Makinde urged all residents to please call 615 for any emergency they might be experiencing at this time and to remain calm and stay away from the immediate scene of the incident to allow rescue operations to be carried out without interference.
He said, “Earth-moving equipment, ambulances, emergency lights, and security were deployed to the scene of the incident”.
“The wounded and injured are being treated and moved to public and private hospitals within Ibadan. Medical personnel are on standby at these hospitals to provide all needed assistance to the injured. We have visited UCH to see some of those injured during the incident.”
“Medical personnel are on standby at these hospitals to provide all needed assistance to the injured. We have visited UCH to see some of those injured during the incident. In total, we have 77 injured victims so far, most of whom were treated and discharged and two fatalities. May their souls rest in peace and may God give their loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”.
“I have directed that the medical bills of all victims be covered by the government. We will also be providing temporary accommodation for those whose houses were affected and ensuring that they are supported to rebuild their lives”.
“We are grateful to the first responders, security personnel and all those who are at the scene to assist with the rescue operations as well as the medical personnel taking care of the injured. Please say a prayer for those who have been affected by this disaster as we continue with the rescue operations” he added.
It would be recalled that many persons were hospitalised as a result of the explosion which affected houses in the Adeyi Area of Old Bodija, Ibadan.
Every electorate must obey all the instructions by the INEC for the elections exercise to achieve a free and fair election.
Electoral officer, Ibadan North Local government area, Mr Timothy Onabanjo said this during the sensitization for the congregation of Foursquare Gospel Church Bodija Ibadan.
Mr Onabanjo explained that, if all instructions were strictly adhered to, it would also make the work easier for INEC officials all over the nation.
While teaching people how to follow the steps of voting, he urged the congregants to vote according to their conscience.
“Voting without PVC is not allowed, according to the 2022 constitutional law of INEC. INEC is fully prepared for exercise”.
Also speaking, the assistant Electoral officer, Ibadan North local government area, Mrs Tosin Oladapo said that it would be a good thing, not to sell one’s conscience, hence, the need for every citizen to be fully prepared and keep whoever candidate they are voting for, in their minds.
While thanking the efforts of the Electoral officers, for the sensitization, the senior Pastor of the FGC, Bodija, Ibadan, Reverend Williams Akinlade, said, no one should entertain any fear, but, follow their instincts on who to vote for, on the election day.
Highlights of other activities included prayers for the nation, for the political and for the religious leaders.
Meanwhile, collection for personal voter’s cards, PVC, had closed on the 5th of February, 2023.
No fewer than seven persons were feared dead when an uncompleted four-storey hotel building collapsed in Ibadan.
It was gathered that the collapsed hotel building is adjacent to one of the new generation banks at Awosika, Bodija area of Ibadan.
An eyewitness said the incident happened around 5.45 am when the Muslim faithful were returning from early morning prayers.
The witness said rescue teams including people in the neighbourhood and passers-by were able to rescue seven persons who are currently receiving medical attention at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Report says a combined team of the state Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps and other security agencies are currently on ground working hard to remove the debris in search of other survivors.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Adewale Osifeso, who confirmed the incident, added that the site had since been cordoned off with adequate deployment of Police personnel in the interest of public health and safety.
Some traders are counting their losses as fire gutted a section of the popular Bodija Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The fire started very early in the morning on Monday.
Some traders said they lost goods worth millions of naira in the incident.
The cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained but it was gathered that the fire was eventually put out by fire fighters, traders and security guards at the market.
The Director of Operations, Oyo State Fire Service, Mr Ismail Adeleke, when contacted on the telephone, told our correspondent that the fire had been put out.
He said, ” We received a call at 5:35am and we moved to the market and put out the fire immediately.
“There was no loss of life and nobody was injured in the incident. We were informed late. We didn’t receive any call from the people in the market, it was a policeman in Yemetu area that called and we responded swiftly.”
Mr Adeleke advised residents of the state to always put safety measures in place to prevent fire outbreaks and to always call fire service immediately there is an outbreak.
Students of University of Ibadan, UI, have commenced protest from the University main gate.
The major road linking Sango, Bodija and Ojoo has also been barricaded with police personnel on ground.
As a result, motorists are finding alternate routes.
In a related development, students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) have commenced protest over the prolonged strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the country.
The protesting students barricaded the popular and ever busy Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan expressway this morning, forcing many motorists and travellers to be stranded as at the time of filing this report.
The students stormed the major highway at the main entrance of the Institution, chanting different solidarity songs and clutching placards with various inscriptions such as— “End ASUU Strike”, “Save our future”.
Similarly, some students in Ogun state have blocked the Sagamu-Benin expressway in protest against the ongoing strike action by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. The joint protest had in attendance students from Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Tai Solarin University of Education, Science and Technology (TASUED), Ijagun and Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Abeokuta. The students stormed the TASUED axis and blocked the expressway leaving many motorists stranded and travellers trapped. The students were carrying placards with inscriptions such as “ #End ASUU strike now#”, “ We say no to educational stagnancy”, “ We are tired of deadlock meetings” and “Education should not be this difficult” among others. Speaking at the protest ground, the Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in the state, Comrade Damilola Simeon, appealed to the Federal government to respond urgently to the yearnings of ASUU. The NANS Chairman stressed that it was high time the Federal government and members of ASUU agreed and reach a comprise to end the strike. The NANS chairman begged the two parties to do the needful and call off the strike. The Student Union Government President of TASUED, Don Ayomide , said that the protest was necessary to let both Federal government and ASUU be aware of the plight of the Nigerian students. He added that the Federal government should endeavor to respect the agreements reached between the two parties, saying that the students were most affected by the current strike.
This is a video posted by @ajufo.victor on Facebook, showing a long queue of cars of at least 1 kilometre long (From Favos junction past Oshuntokun towards Bodija Market) trying to buy fuel at a popular filling station in the Bodija axis of Ibadan
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has charged secondary school students to imbibe healthy competition in their academic endeavors in order to succeed in life and take active part in repositioning Oyo State and the country.
The governor who spoke through the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, while addressing secondary school students’ participants at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Inter-Senior Secondary School Debate Competition of the South-West zone, held at Ibadan Business School, Bodija, Ibadan.
Some of the student participants at the flag-off of the South-West Zonal Competition of the President’s Schools’ Debate Nigeria, at Ibadan
He stated that quality debate is the staple of democracy in the modern world, stressing that without quality debate, electorates would never be able to engage politicians with whom the collective destiny of the people are entrusted for a period of time.
The governor noted that as a responsible government, the paramount concern to his administration has been of turning around the dwindling educational sector which he inherited from the last administration.
He added that within two years, several measures and reforms have been put in place, part of which are free, accessible, and quality education for all, with free text and notebooks for students in public schools to promote sound education, which have placed Oyo State on good ranking in terms of performance and delivery.
“In addition to the annual State quiz, debate and Spelling Bee competitions, the government is also promoting the participation of Oyo students in national competitions with the intention of sponsoring deserving students for international competitions, to boost their talents, skills and as well, inculcate qualities of sportsmanship, teamwork and cooperation among the students who are the leaders of tomorrow.”
“Debating is one of the best tools available to a student for development of his or her oratory skills as well as the confidence to express themselves effectively, so it should be promoted by the government, private organizations and individuals, so that we can put our education quality where we desire.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the National Coordinator, President’s Schools’ Debate Nigeria, Elder Dare Oritu, opined that the importance of debate to the country and the world cannot be overemphasized, adding that debate has been widely used across the world as a tool for dialogue between conflicting interests.
He maintained that the significant role of debating in democratic nations includes the resolution of conflicts among diverse groups, which has made some levels of impact in Nigeria, despite her numerous challenges.
Governor Makinde however expressed hope that the competition would achieve the desired success, while admonishing the Judges to discharge their duties without fear or favor, urging them to encourage debaters to play according to the laid down rules and regulations.
Also in attendance at the occasion were the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry, Alhaja Aminat Atere and other top government officials at the Ministry.
With Christmas just a few hours away, traders in Ibadan have lamented hike in prices of commodities. Radio Nigeria correspondent who visit some markets in Ibadan including Dugbe, Ogunpa, Agbeni, Bodija and Ọjà Ọba markets reports that some traders who deal in pepper and rice also decried low patronage. The traders attributed the hike in prices to the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest and the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. Textile and shoe traders explained that high cost of production was responsible for the increase in price of most their merchandise. In the same vein, some of the buyers at the markets lamented that their purchasing power has been weakened due to the inflated cost of goods. They, however, expressed hope that they would be able to buy other items needed for the festive season whenever December salaries were paid.
Not less than 500 less-privileged are to benefit from food items tagged “COVID19/ Ramadan Relief Package” sponsored by Bodija Estate and Environs Muslim Community.
The food items include rice, beans, Semovita, garri, groundnut oil, and sugar.
Chairman of the community, Alhaji Abidemi Siyanbade at the commencement of the distribution of the package at the Islamic Centre, Bodija Housing area, Ibadan said the gesture was to cushion the effects of the current economic situation on the people as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
He explained that the project which gulped about five Million naira was through the support of members as well as others and used the opportunity to call for more donation so as to cater for another set as “there are over one thousand people on the list”.
“So, we want to assist some members of our community and the less privileges, we have various relief materials here including face masks which are washable”.
Alhaji Siyanbade said the community used to organise daily breaking of fast annually but because of the current situation, they decided to assist the needy with the packages.
“People, should spend in the way of Allah. What we do here for 30 or 29 days during Ramadan is provision of breaking of fast for people. We also have Itikaf, but due to Coronavirus ravaging the world, we know that it is from Almighty Allah, the prophet told us that when there is an epidemic, people in a place should stay where they are.”
He said in line with the social distancing order, messages had been sent to beneficiaries on when to come to get their packages stressing that at no time would they be more than ten people for each batch.
“The plan is for 500 people, we have sent messages to them. People will come here and pick and go. We have suspended the weekly Jummat prayer here and we have suspended the five daily compulsory prayers here.”
“The package has cost us close to 5 million naira. We don’t want the less-privileged to know the impact of this Coronavirus. We have the list of those whom are beneficiaries already”.
Some of the beneficiaries appreciated the community and said the support had brought succour to their families.
Radio Nigeria correspondent reports that precautionary measures were put in place to prevent spread of COVID-19 at the mosque as soap and running water as well as hand sanitizers were provided at the gate while social distancing was also maintained.
Oyo state government says there is no
confirmed case of outbreak of coronavirus in the state contrary to speculation
making round.
Addressing journalists in Ibadan,
Commissioner for Health, Dr Bashir Bello stated this while addressing
journalists in Ibadan.
Dr Bello explained that an individual who just returned from the UK was self-isolation pointing out that the investigation was ongoing to run tests on samples collected from the individual at the National Reference Laboratory, LUTH, for Southwest.
On the outbreak in neighbouring states, Dr Bello said Oyo state Ministry of Health has activated surveillance system while the contact tracing was ongoing.
He said adequate resources had been
deployed to all facilities in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Dr Bello implored member of the pubic to
remain calm and ensure strict compliance to hygiene practices of regular hand
washing (with soap and running water or use of alcohol-based sanitizers) and observe
good respiratory hygiene.
The commissioner equally implored individuals arriving Oyo State and other parts of Nigeria from countries with ongoing COVID-19 outbreak to notify the Ministry of Health on arrival, and undergo supervised self-isolation for at least fourteen days before moving around.
Christians have been advised to be
perfect in their ways, as the Lord commanded.
One of the Assistant Pastors, Foursquare
Gospel Church, Bodija Ibadan, Pastor Olaitan Alloh gave the advice during his Sunday
sermon.
Pastor Alloh who noted that, if the
world was filled with holiness, the devil’s work would be destroyed, hence the
need for Christians to be good examples and also let their conversations be
seasoned with salt at all times.
Pastor Alloh, however, urged every believer to ensure full commitment to the things of God, in other to enjoy an inheritance in heaven after their lifetime.
