The Ifesowapo Consultative Forum, a coalition of 32 communities surrounding Lisa Town in Ogun State’s Ifo Local Government Area, is set to observe the 20th anniversary of the tragic Bellview Airlines crash that claimed 117 lives on October 22, 2005.
According to Dr. Fola Abati, Chairman of the Forum, the commemorative event will feature inter-religious prayer sessions, an aviation safety lecture, and outreach initiatives directed at the families of the victims. The event will be live-streamed to enable Nigerians and the international community to join in the remembrance.
Dr. Abati emphasized that the anniversary is not just a somber reflection on the past but an opportunity to inspire progress. “We owe it to the victims, their families, and to ourselves to ensure that Lisa is not remembered only for tragedy, but for resilience and renewal,” he said.
The Forum is also using the occasion to call for urgent government intervention in restoring the Lisa Memorial Arcade, which was built in memory of the victims but has since fallen into disrepair. Additionally, they are advocating for the rehabilitation of the 10.5-kilometer Ijoko-Oyero-Lisa access road, which remains in poor condition.
Dr. Abati lamented that despite the significance of the site, it has not been recognized as a national heritage landmark, and the envisioned aviation tourism center has yet to be established. “Restoring the Lisa Memorial Arcade would honor the departed with dignity, while rehabilitating the access road would alleviate the daily burden of thousands of residents who commute between Ogun and Lagos,” he said.
The Forum acknowledged the efforts of Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka, Deputy Chief Whip of the Federal House of Representatives, in facilitating the construction of a flyover bridge at the Awela River axis, which has significantly reduced annual loss of lives caused by flooding in the area. They also commended Oba Odugbemi for his ongoing commitment to the welfare of Lisa and neighboring communities.
The 20th anniversary commemoration is scheduled to take place on October 22, 2025, as communities across Lisa prepare to honor the victims and push for renewed attention to infrastructure and heritage preservation.
