society
As Ogun moves to preserve Abeokuta-Sagamu road By Funmi Branco
As Ogun moves to preserve Abeokuta-Sagamu road
By Funmi Branco
WHEN in January 2022 President Muhammadu Buhari visited Ogun State to commission projects, he could not help exulting in the sheer beauty of the roads constructed by the Dapo-Abiodun led government in Ogun State. He said: “I arrived early today and commission the 14Km Ijebu-Ode, Mojoda Epe road which is reconstructed to a modern expressway by your administration. This impressive road will complement the Shagamu Benin expressway that the FG is presently reconstructing which is also due commissioning this year. Just across the road is the 42-km Shagamu Interchange Abeokuta road which the state government has reconstructed and equipped with street lights and other modern furniture which I will commission shortly. I am particularly impressed by the quality and standard of the road projects.”
The president was not being facetious; he was being very real. What he called the “constructive engagement cooperation and collaboration between the state and Federal Government” was evident for all to see. Travelling on the 42 km Abeokuta-Sagamu road had a delightful feel. Electric polls dotted the road, with clear lighting making driving at night such a beauty. The road was adjudged the best in the country given the modern furniture. The fact is well known that the Abeokuta- Sagamu Interchange road, the ceremonial route to the Gateway state capital, Ibara, Kuto, MKO Abiola Stadium, Oke Mosan, Laderin, Kobape, Siun to Sagamu interchange, links the Lagos Sagamu expressway to Lagos and the South-East. With the replacement of new asphalt overlay of both binder and wearing course, the replacement of cleared road shoulders and median with layby, reconstruction of existing earth drains with adequate turnout where necessary, and provision of new street lights for illumination at nights for safety and security purposes, the road was such a soul-lifting sight. Industries and housing estates sprang up and blossomed very quickly. They are now deeply entrenched in the Ogun ecology.
Driving on the road, now in September 2023, is still a great experience, but beyond the beauty lies a huge cost to Ogun State in financial terms. Knowing the strategic importance of the road, the Ogun State government, this week, took a great step to arrest an unsavoury development, reiterating its commitment to ensuring that it remains in good condition for motorists and other road users. It announced a plan to collaborate with truck owners and other stakeholders on the road. Lamenting the continuous deterioration of the road due to the pressure daily put on it by the obvious increase in the number of heavy duty trucks servicing the large number of quarries and housing estates in the area, the state government, in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, said it would continue to seek ways to continue maintaining the road in spite of the huge financial implications to the state government.
Here’s why: there are currently about 40 quarries in Abeokuta, the state capital, while another 20 operate along the road. The weight of the trucks bearing the granite, cement, stone base, laterite and other materials, with some of them often overloaded, continues to cause immense damage to the road, making the government to rehabilitate it at huge costs. That is not all: further pressure is exerted on the road by trucks and other heavy-duty machinery deployed by estate developers in the area. Said Akinsanya: “We all can attest to the growing numbers of housing estates and other companies on that axis of the state…Everyday, you also hear of accidents that leave street lights damaged by overspeading drivers. This, coupled with the incessant vandalism of street lights and other infrastructure on the road by hoodlums, makes constant rehabilitation a must.”
If motorists take advantage of the smoothness of the road and engage in speeding, that can only lead to accidents. It is a fact that most of the vehicular accidents witnessed on the road affect the road furniture. This gives room to vandals to cut the cables and cart away iron. The government is then forced to move in and replace them. While security agents have the mandate to enforce traffic rules, the government has to do much more, which is why it now wants a collaboration with the truck owners implicated in the constant damage to the road. They will be required to pay mere stipends when the trucks use the road, with the proceeds used to augment the government’s financial investment in the maintenance of the road.
As our elders say, if soup is delicious, money has played its part in the story. The Abeoluta-Sagamu road has transformed the Ogun environment, but great care must be taken to ensure that motorists from Ibadan and other parts of the country plying that road continue to escape the hassles that defined travelling to Ogun State till the Dapo Abiodun administration came on board and spawned a new reality. A road of such strategic importance, equipped with state-of-the-art furniture, can only take so much damage. With a network of industries attracted by the road, with developers and estate owners within that corridor doing brisk business, the road will need to be in prime, unblemished condition. If those whose trucks and big lorries leave the road in an unpleasant state are being asked to be part of the conversation on its maintenance, which the Ogun State government has hitherto ensured in order to deliver a pleasant driving experience for the road users, even at night, it is the right thing to do. The truck owners service the construction companies within Sagamu-Ibadan corridor, and within the Sagamu-Ore corridor. The road is overused and this means that the government must continually spend money on it, a responsibility it has undertaken so far without fail. But its resources are not infinite, and the new initiative targeted at sustainable maintenance of the road deserves to be applauded by all.
Branco sent this piece through [email protected]
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Benue, Kwara Killings: Primate Ayodele Warned But They Never Listened
When Nigerians started celebrating after the United States launched an attack against terrorists in Nigeria on December 25, 2025, Primate Ayodele stood out when he said the nation shouldn’t celebrate yet because there would be reprisal attacks.
Many quickly lashed out at him, calling him all sorts of names like prophet of doom, fake prophet, bet9ja prophet, to mention but a few. However, the prophet stood his ground and continued to warn President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his team that terrorists are planning to attack some Nigerian states.
His words after the US-led attack were:
“Nigerians shouldn’t celebrate yet, and President Tinubu shouldn’t celebrate either, because the powerlessness of his government is getting exposed, and America can come up with anything against him. This won’t stop kidnapping or insecurity in Nigeria.
“The government of Nigeria must work on it because the US cannot do it without the Nigerian government.
“Another bombing is coming up, and these bandits are ready for the consequences. They are also ready to counter-attack heavily; the government must get prepared for the outcome.”
Many didn’t know that Primate Ayodele isn’t a prophetwhot just speaks for attention’s sake, he speaks as directed by the most high God, and that’s why he is always fearless in his approaches. Even though the presidency celebrated it, he called their attention to some plans of terrorists across the country.
It’s been barely two months after the attack by the United States, and the country is back to more folds of insecurity across the country. Bandits have launched full-fledged attacks on the nation, killing several innocent souls without being checked or arrested.
If only security operatives listened to Primate Ayodele’s warning, he vividly mentioned some of the states that bandits orterroristst would be visiting. He shared them in a public forum at least twice, including in video recordings, but we wonder what these security operatives do with sensitive messages like this.
In one of the prophetic moments, he mentioned about eight states that will be attacked by terrorists if care isn’t taken.
“These states, Nasarawa, Abuja, Ondo, Kaduna, Sokoto, Benue, Katsina, Yobe, should be paid close attention to. They should deploy more soldiers to these states.”
Just yesterday in Benue, inn Benue State, 17 people, including a Mobile Police officer, were killed when gunmen attacked the Abande market in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area. Gunmen opened fire on traders and residents, killing many on the spot. Police spokesperson in Benue State, Udeme Edet, confirmed the attack.
In Katsina, In Katsina State, at least 20 residents were killed when bandits stormed Doma community in Tafoki Ward, Faskari Local Government Area.
Witnesses said the attackers moved unhindered, shooting villagers and setting houses and vehicles ablaze before fleeing. Faskari Local Government Chairman Surajo Aliyu confirmed the incident, describing it as a deadly reprisal and the worst in recent months.
In Kwara, too, Primate Ayodele had said earlier before now, just after the Eruku incident, that he still sees attacks in the state.
In fulfilment of this, bandits killed at least 10 villagers in Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area. The attackers, reportedly operating from the Borgu National Park forest in neighbouring Niger State, invaded the communities around 6.00 pm, firing sporadically and setting houses ablaze.
Sincerely, all of these could have been avoided if they had listened.
society
Prophet Genesis extends heartfelt condolences on the transition of beloved Nollywood actress Aunty Ajara to eternal glory.
Prophet Genesis extends heartfelt condolences on the transition of beloved Nollywood actress Aunty Ajara to eternal glory.
I received the news of Aunty Ajara’s passing with great shock and sadness. At 25, her passing is particularly painful, and her loving presence will be deeply missed. My beloved Aunty Ajara arrived and made a lasting impression despite the inevitability of death.
The demise of this remarkable Ajara has deprived her family and the entire Nollywood industry of a profoundly resourceful and distinguished sister.
As mortals, we acquiesce to the divine will of the Almighty. I join the esteemed members of the Nollywood entertainment industry in acknowledging the Almighty’s greatness in our lives and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family during this period of mourning.
I offer my condolences and prayers, beseeching God Almighty to grant her gentle soul eternal peace and imbue her family with the fortitude necessary to cope with this irreparable loss.
May her gentle soul find comfort in the Lord Amen!
COURT ADJOURNS PROCEEDINGS AGAIN AS FOPCHEN MAINTAINS CALL FOR MORAL REBIRTH
Proceedings in the ongoing court case involving Oyewale Olufemi Ezekiel resumed today at the High Court of Ogun State, Ota Division, following the last adjournment on July 30, but were once again adjourned.
At the resumption, the court addressed pending procedural and legal matters arising from earlier sessions. However, after brief proceedings, the presiding judge adjourned the case, citing the need for further consideration of issues before the court. The matter was subsequently adjourned till March 24, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
The case, which has continued to draw public attention, revolves around multiple counts preferred against the defendant under existing Nigerian laws. Since its commencement, the matter has witnessed a series of adjournments, largely due to legal objections, documentation reviews, and procedural deliberations.
Reacting to the fresh adjournment, the Foundation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage in Nigeria (FOPCHEN) reiterated its position that the case underscores broader concerns about moral values in contemporary society. The organisation restated its call for a moral rebirth, urging stakeholders to look beyond the courtroom and address what it described as a growing erosion of cultural and ethical standards.
FOPCHEN emphasised that while it respects the judicial process and the right of all parties to fair hearing, society must also engage in meaningful dialogue around values, responsibility, and cultural identity.
As the court awaits the next adjourned date of March 24, 2026, the case continues to spark discussion on the intersection of law, culture, and morality in Nigeria, with observers keenly watching how the legal process unfolds.
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