Lisa Memorial Arcade rehabilitation is urgently needed, says Oba Odugbemi, as he renews appeal to government ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Bellview crash

Lisa Memorial Arcade rehabilitation is urgently needed, says Oba Odugbemi, as he renews appeal to government ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Bellview crash.

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Lisa Memorial Arcade rehabilitation has become a renewed priority as the Onilisa of Lisa, His Royal Majesty Oba Oladele Odugbemi, has made a passionate appeal to both the Federal and Ogun State Governments to restore the memorial and access road leading to the site of the 2005 Bellview Airlines crash.

During an interfaith prayer session organized by his Palace in Lisa Town, Ifo Local Government Area, the monarch described the once-maintained site—where all 117 victims of the crash are buried—as neglected and overtaken by bush.

“We are appealing to both the Federal and State Governments to restore this important site,” Oba Odugbemi said.

“It is not only the resting place of 117 souls—Nigerians and foreign nationals alike—it is also a symbol of collective memory.”

He noted that several representations have been made to government authorities over the years, but the site remains in poor condition.

The Lisa Memorial Arcade rehabilitation, he emphasized, is especially urgent with the 20th anniversary of the tragedy approaching on October 22, 2025.

As part of the Isese 2025 festival, the monarch brought together Christian, Muslim, and traditional religious leaders to honor the victims and reinforce his call for action.

Among those who led prayers were Reverend O. Emmanuel, Chief Imam Musemil Junaid, and the community’s masquerade figure, Ajofoyinbo.

Oba Odugbemi also raised alarm over the 10.5-kilometre access road from Ogba-Iyo in Ijoko through Oyero to the crash site, describing it as virtually impassable.

He said the road’s original tarring deteriorated in less than a year due to flooding and poor maintenance.

“Restoring the road won’t just aid remembrance. It will also serve the growing population in this part of Ogun State,” he said.

The monarch proposed that the Lisa site be declared a national heritage monument and developed into an aviation memorial and educational center.

He recalled how the memorial once drew national attention when inaugurated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and then-Governor Gbenga Daniel.

Currently, erosion and structural damage threaten the graves and the integrity of the memorial arcade.

Yet, the community is taking the initiative—youths and vigilante groups have volunteered to clear the surrounding bush ahead of the planned 20th-anniversary commemoration.

The Palace confirmed that preparations are underway for the formal remembrance event on October 22, 2025, which will mark exactly two decades since the crash of Bellview Airlines Flight 210 The Boeing 737-200 aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Lagos to Abuja, killing all 117 passengers and crew.

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With this new appeal, the monarch hopes the memorial’s restoration will be prioritized not just as a mark of respect for the dead, but as a national commitment to history, dignity, and healing.