Ondo Governor’s Aide, Hon. Adebawo Visits AAUA as Fire Ravages Shops, Conveys Gov. Aiyedatiwa’s Sympathy
AAUA’s VC, Prof. Ige Appreciates Government’s Prompt visit
A devastating fire incident occurred at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, engulfing numerous shops beside the Obasanjo Multipurpose hall gate of the school. The fire destroyed generators, printing and photocopying machines, as well as other valuables, leaving shop owners in distress.
Hon. (Prince) Wellington Oriade Adebawo, the Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Emergency Response, promptly visited the scene to assess the damage. He was welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, who led him, his team and the university officials to the affected area.
During the visit, Hon. Adebawo conveyed the sympathy of the state government to the business owners, the school management, and the host community over the disaster. He assured them of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s support and pledged that the state government would provide succor and relief to the affected business owners.
The Special Assistant reiterated the commitment of the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency, ODSEMA, under the leadership of Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, to responding to emergencies across the state, noting that the visit to the fire incident scene was supported by the agency.
The fire incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, March 6, around 6 am, when the shops were yet to be opened for the day’s business. Fortunately, no one was around at the time of the incident, preventing any loss of life.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a gas cylinder explosion may have been the cause of the fire, which started from the shop where the cylinder was located. The shop owners, who were severely affected by the incident, expressed their gratitude to Hon. Adebawo for his prompt response and visit.
Mr. Misbahudeen Abdukareem, one of the shop owners whose printing and photocopying machines were destroyed, described the incident as unfortunate and pleaded for the support of the state government during their trying time.
The Vice-Chancellor of AAUA, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, thanked the Ondo State government for the prompt visit to assess the damage caused by the fire. He appreciated the government’s commitment to supporting the institution and the affected business owners.
Hon. Adebawo assured the Vice-Chancellor and the shop owners that he would provide feedback to Governor Aiyedatiwa on his visit and the extent of the damage. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing relief and support to those affected by the fire.
Present during the visit were other top officials of the university, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin), Prof. Adebisi Daramola; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Olusegun Akinwumi; the Bursar, Mr. Tobi Adewumi Orina; and the Chief Security Officer, Mr. Oluwole Tedunjaye.
