A passionate appeal has been made to the Federal Government and the Ogun State Government to urgently consider the rehabilitation of the site of the tragic 2005 Bellview Airlines crash, which occurred at Lisa Town, in Ifo Local Council Area of Ogun State on October 22, 2005.
 
Speaking during a solemn interdenominational prayer session organised by the Palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Oladele Najeem Ayinla Odugbemi, the Onilisa of Lisa, the monarch called on both tiers of government to prioritise the renovation of the Lisa Memorial Arcade, which has sadly fallen into disrepair and has become overgrown with bush over the years.
 
“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 with Nigerians and foreign nationals alike, it is also a symbol of collective memory. We have made several representations in the past. Today, as part of the Isese 2025 celebration, we gather Christians, Muslims, and traditionalists to honour the victims and renew our call for action.”

As the 20th anniversary of the crash approaches on 22 October 2025, the monarch expressed concern that the memorial arcade, once frequented by bereaved families and visitors, now stands largely abandoned. He described the 10.5-kilometre road linking Ogba-Iyo in Ijoko through Oyero to the crash site as impassable, noting that the original tarring lasted less than a year before being washed away by seasonal flooding.
 
Oba Odugbemi recalled the memorial’s inauguration by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and then Governor Gbenga Daniel, when the site drew national attention and international sympathy. Today, he said, the contrast is stark.

 The monarch urged the government to recognise the site as a national heritage asset, proposing its development into an aviation memorial and educational centre. He stressed that restoring the access road would not only facilitate remembrance but also serve the growing local population.