The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District in the 2027 general election and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has donated ₦20 million to victims of the recent fire outbreak at the Bode Traditional Herbs and Other Products Market, popularly known as Iso Alagbo, in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, while assuring the affected traders of additional intervention from the Federal Government.
Oseni made the donation during a sympathy visit to the market on Monday, where he met traders whose shops, traditional herbs, medicinal products and other valuables were destroyed by the devastating inferno. His message of hope and support was contained in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan.
The federal lawmaker said he visited the scene to personally identify with the victims, describing the incident as a painful tragedy that had wiped out years of hard work and investments, leaving many families devastated and uncertain about their future.
”Today, I visited the Bode Traditional Herbs and Other Products Market, popularly known as Iso Alagbo, to personally identify with our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who suffered devastating losses in the recent fire incident. Walking through the ruins and listening to the heartbreaking stories of the affected traders was deeply emotional,” Oseni said.
According to him, many of the traders watched helplessly as years of sacrifice and labour went up in flames, noting that what the victims lost extended far beyond goods and property.
”For many families, what was destroyed was not just merchandise but their means of livelihood and hope for a better tomorrow. I could see the pain in their eyes and hear the despair in their voices. This is a tragedy that calls for compassion and collective support,” he added.
The chairman , House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) stressed that leadership must be measured not only by words of sympathy but by practical actions capable of restoring hope to people in times of adversity.
”In moments like this, leadership must go beyond words of sympathy. It must be demonstrated through compassion, presence and meaningful support. That is why I have come not only to sympathise with the victims but also to stand with them through tangible assistance,” he said.
To cushion the immediate hardship occasioned by the disaster, the APC senatorial candidate donated ₦20 million to the affected traders, acknowledging that while no amount of money could adequately compensate for the huge losses suffered, the intervention was intended to provide immediate relief and help many victims begin the difficult process of rebuilding their businesses.
The lawmaker also assured the victims that he would engage relevant authorities at the federal level to facilitate additional intervention for those affected, saying every available avenue would be explored to ensure the traders receive the support needed to recover from the unfortunate incident.
”We will continue to engage the appropriate authorities at the federal level to seek additional intervention and support for those affected. We will explore every available avenue to ensure our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters are not left alone to bear this burden. Together, we will overcome this challenge,” Oseni assured.
He commended the resilience of the affected traders despite the painful losses and prayed for divine restoration for every victim.
“To every trader affected by this unfortunate incident, please know that you are not alone. Your resilience inspires us. I pray that Almighty God grants everyone the strength to recover, restores every loss and continues to protect our communities from tragedies of this nature. By His grace, hope will rise again, businesses will flourish again and brighter days will surely return,” he said.
