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OPINION: The Shame Of Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Road
Published
1 month agoon
By
Editor
By Lasisi Olagunju
Mr Dele Alake represents Ekiti State in the Federal Executive Council. Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola represents Osun State in the Federal Executive Council. Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo represents Ondo State in the Federal Executive Council. All three of them are the president’s core men. Each time the council sits and approves federal roads for reconstruction in states other than theirs, what goes on in their minds? They are very powerful ministers but all federal roads that lead to their states are decrepit and abandoned. And they know. So, what is the problem?
The Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa road that links these ministers’ states to Lagos and to the North is the worst in Nigeria. Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, is from Ekiti State. He belongs to the president’s inner caucus. Tough-talking PDP Senator Francis Fadahunsi represents Ife-Ijesa senatorial district. There are seven other senators and several Reps of APC and PDP from those three states. Has anyone heard them say or do anything to make that road well again? Do these people go home and how do they get home whenever they go home? Nigerians of all states lose lives and limbs on that road daily. Death by installments on the road is harrowing and it is a daily experience. It is a fitting tribute to the attention we pay to our people’s welfare.
The new Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup, a billionaire businessman, recently offered to repair the road. It is a commendable and promising way to start a reign. But how far can an individual go doing that? My people, however, say if a man offers you a clenched first, whatever it contains, take it. The royal offer is far better than the present state of emptiness. But, a private citizen offering to do what government exists to do casts a pall of shame on the Nigerian state.
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If the federal government is tired of maintaining its many roads, it should hands off and hand them over to states they run through. At least, governors are easier to pin down; the presidency is too far off, too distant.
There was a time mere expansion joints on the Asejire bridge on that same Ibadan-Ife road were harvesting human lives almost weekly.
At 11.46 am on 5 May, 2023, I sent a private message to Mr Hakeem Bello, Special Adviser to the then Minister of Works, Mr Babatunde Fashola: “I want to call the attention of the minister to the very dangerous state of the Asejire bridge (Ibadan to Ife lane). The expansion joints have fallen off, they pose very mortal danger to everyone who uses that road. I understand a trailer crushed some vehicles there a few days ago. (Lives were lost). The minister’s urgent intervention is required. E kuuse.”
At 12.49 pm. on the same day, I got this reply from Mr Bello: “My brother. Received and forwarded to both Director Highways, South West Zone, and the Federal Controller of Works in Oyo State.”
At 4.06 pm on the same day, I forwarded photographs of the crumbling bridge to Bello.
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At 8.20pm that day, he replied: “Forwarded too.”
At 9.03 am on 12 May, 2023, exactly one week after the ‘sending and forwarding’ exercise, I sent this to him: “God bless you, sir. They’ve started repair works on the bridge. I have just passed through the place. My regards to Oga.” The job was very well done. The minister’s man was happy; I was happy.
I wrote all the above and mentioned names because I wanted all who should care to care. And this includes the president. On that road, and on any other bad road in Nigeria, anyone who has a voice should do something and, at least, say something – and keep saying it. It may save a life.
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News
Uproar As Senate Okays Non-indigene As Rivers Electoral Commission Chairman
Published
18 hours agoon
June 25, 2025By
Editor
There was an uproar in the Senate on Wednesday following the approval of a non- indigene, Dr. Michael Odey as the Chairman, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.
The confirmation of Odey, who hails from Cross River State, alongside other members of the Commission followed the consideration of the report of the Ad- Hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State presented by its chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central).
The development sparked as a few senators objected the appointment of a non-indigene to head a sensitive position as that of a state electoral commission.
Those confirmed as members of the RSIEC are Mr. Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Prof. Author Nwafor, Prof. Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha, Prof. Joyce Akaninwor, Dr. Olive A. Bruce and Prof. Chidi Halliday.
READ ALSO:Nigerian Senate Passes 2025 Budget For Rivers State
Objecting to Odey’s confirmation, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central) said bad precedent should not be set by allowing a non-indigene to head the electoral commission of a state.
He said: “I objected as observed because if it is allowed and becomes the norm, it will not be well for the country.
“I do not see the necessity of having someone from another state to chair an electoral body.”
Also kicking against the approval, former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, (APC Borno South), said it is wrong to scout for a non-indigene for such sensitive position when there are over one thousand indigenes who are qualified.
READ ALSO:Senate Sets Up Committee To Oversee Rivers Administrator
Referring to a comment by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), said politics was infused into the matter.
“It is here that politics is brought into this matter. Nobody is objecting to the personality but to a question of morality this appointment has raised.
“I am not a lawyer and not talking law, we are talking about ethics. This is unethical. We should not intrude politics into what we do here,” Moro said.
But the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), argued that Odey’s appointment is constitutional and that there is nothing wrong im the confirmation by the Red Chamber.
READ ALSO:May Day Shocker: NLC Cancels Celebrations In Rivers, Edo States
He said: “The constitution is the ground norm and inasmuch as there is no provision in the constitution that is against appointing a non-indigene, the confirmation is then in order.
“Any Nigerian is free to take up appointment in any state. I can be a governor in Benue State. We are talking about constitution, not morality.”
The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele while appreciating concerns raised, however, appealed that it is a matter that should not be politicized, saying “The matter does not call for grandstanding.”
He argued that Odey is both eligible and qualified as a PhD holder.
READ ALSO:Rivers Women Walk Out On Ibas’ Wife, Chant ‘We Want Fubara’
Bamidele disclosed that the committee had also raised similar concern during the screening exercise where he called on Odey to provide constitutional evidence of his eligibility.
He said the Odey is eligible and qualified, adding that having the six other members from Rivers State, picking a non-indigene as chairman would create room for transparency and neutrality.
In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Barau, who presided over the session, insisted that anybody can work anywhere in Nigeria.
Barau cited an example of an indigene of Edo State who is the Head of Service in Abia State.
READ ALSO:[BREAKING] Rivers: Pro-Fubara Supporters Protest, Demand Gov’s Reinstatement
He said the objection “is purely politics because it is coming from APC”.
In the same development, the Senate also confirmed the appointment of members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission nominated by President Bola Tinubu.
The Civil Service Commission consists of five members, including its Chairman, Dr Livinus Bariki, and Ambassador Lot Peter Egopija, Mrs Maeve Ere Bestman, Mrs Joy Obiaju and Mrs Charity Lloyd Harry as members.
Also confirmed are the chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Mr Isreal N Amadi and Mr Linus Nwandem, Lady Christabel Ego, George Didia, Dr Tonye Willie D Pepple, Barrister Richard Ewoh, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (rtd) and Dr Sammy Apiafi, as members.
(DAILY POST)
News
Nigerian Senate Passes 2025 Budget For Rivers State
Published
18 hours agoon
June 25, 2025By
Editor
The Nigerian senate on Wednesday, passed the 2025 budget of Rivers State, to the tune of N1.485 trillion.
The passage came after the third reading of the appropriation bill on the Senate floor.
This came after the upper chamber considered the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State during the Committee of Supply session.
DAILY POST reports that the bill seeks to authorize the issuance of N1,485,662,592,442 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.
READ ALSO:Senate Sets Up Committee To Oversee Rivers Administrator
According to the approved budget breakdown, N120.8 billion is for debt servicing, N287.38 billion is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and N1.077 trillion is for capital expenditure.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), while supporting the passage of the bill, however, raised a concern regarding the additional 50 billion naira earmarked for the payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities.
The lawmaker charged the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee to carry out more rigorous oversight to ensure that the funds reach the rightful pension beneficiaries without delay.
DAILY POST reports that with the passage, the Rivers State 2025 budget will now proceed for assent and implementation.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Seek True Peace To Avoid Impeachment, Rivers APC Tells Fubara
It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu in May submitted the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State to the National Assembly for consideration, after the suspension of the state’s House of Assembly.
In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio, the proposed budget totals N1.481 trillion, with major allocations aimed at revitalizing key sectors.
The president also wrote to the House of Representatives for the Rivers State budget approval, reminding the House that the Supreme Court had nullified the 2025 budget presented by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
News
Kebbi Govt Mulls Death Penalty For Bandit Informants
Published
18 hours agoon
June 25, 2025By
Editor
Kebbi State Government has said it would review existing laws to impose death penalty or life imprisonment on convicted informants aiding the criminals in the state.
This is coming in the wake of renewed attacks by armed bandits in parts of the state.
The State Governor, Nasiru Idris made this disclosure on Tuesday, when he paid condolence visits to Tadurga village in Zuru and Kyebu in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Areas, both recently targeted by bandits in attacks that claimed 30 lives.
READ ALSO:Tobacco Kills 1.3 Million Non-smokers Yearly — WHO
The governor, while describing informants as deadly to society, reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on insecurity and promised to treat the issue with utmost seriousness.
He expressed sorrow over the tragic loss of lives, praying for the victims and asking Allah to grant the deceased Aljannah Firdausi and a quick recovery to those injured.
“We are here to see things for ourselves, commiserate with you and reassure you of the urgent steps we have taken to improve security,” he said.
READ ALSO:Pastor Enenche Rejects N30m Donation From Kebbi Governor
The Governor called on the public to refrain from politicizing security issues or spread unverified information on social media, warning that such actions could jeopardise ongoing efforts to restore peace.
Responding, the Chief of Danko, Ibrahim Al’aji, and the Chief of Dabai, Suleiman Sami, appreciated the governor for his swift intervention and called for enhanced security measures, especially along routes used by bandits entering from neighboring states.
The Emir of Zuru, Rtd. Major General Sani Sami also expressed appreciation for the governor’s visit and ongoing commitment to security in the emirate.
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