Kunle Adelabu
-Warns of protest after expiration of time
The President of Igbogbo Students’ Union (ISU), has called on major stakeholders in Igbogbo and elected representatives, to find a lasting solution to the abandoned Igbogbo – Bola Ahmed Tinubu – Igbe Laara Road project which has been abandoned for almost a decade.
Comrade Abdulsalam Adebayo Tijani, President of the union who called out major stakeholders, including the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, representatives of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson, representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), Adeboruwa – in – Council, Igbogbo Development Association (DEA), in a statement on Monday, to ensure that the resumption of the contractor handling the project, HiTech Construction Company which reappeared a few days back on site after several months, is sustained.
He issued a 30 – day ultimatum after which he warned that he will mobilise the entire students in Igbogbo, and other youth groups to stage a protest if there is no concrete step to ensure that the project continue unhindered.
Abdusalam said that the deplorable state of the project has caused students and residents of Igbogbo and other road users untoward hardship.
The statement is reproduced below:
PRESS RELEASE: A CALL TO ACTION ON THE BOLA AHMED TINUBU WAY RECONSTRUCTION
September 23, 2024
As the President of the Igbogbo Students’ Union, I stand today to address a critical issue that has plagued our community for far too long: the deplorable condition of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way. This matter transcends mere inconvenience, it has had a negative impact on the lives of students, residents, and all those who call this LCDA home.
Let us take a moment to reflect on the past. On November 1st, 2017, a historical event took place in Igbogbo—the demolition of structures to pave the way for road construction. At that time, I was in my final year in secondary school, full of hope that my younger sister, then in Primary 6, would one day benefit from this project. Fast forward to six years later, not only has she moved on to 200-level in the university, but the promised road is still in a state of disrepair. She, like so many others in this community, has had to endure years of hardship commuting on this road, with no sign of improvement.
However, just this morning, there was a glimmer of hope. I witnessed the return of HITECH to the construction site. It seems that efforts may once again be underway to address this long-standing issue. While this is a positive sign, we must not be complacent. The mere presence of machinery on-site does not guarantee a speedy resolution, nor does it erase the years of neglect we have suffered. We must ensure that this new activity leads to actual progress and completion of the road.
The students in our community bear the brunt of this failure. They face numerous challenges getting to school ranging from delays and traffic jams to the health risks posed by the dust during the dry season and the mud during the rainy season. Many students have missed crucial lessons, exams, and extracurricular activities because of the persistent poor condition of this road. It is a situation that has gone on long enough, and it is time for us, as a community, to take action.
I, therefore, call on the following key stakeholders to join forces and find an urgent and lasting solution to this issue:
- IDEA (Igbogbo Development Association)
- OBA in Council
- The GAC Member
- IBLCDA (Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area)
- Hon. Moshood Abiodun
- Hon. Jimi Benson
- Sen. Tokunbo Abiru
- IYC (Igbogbo Youth Coalition)
- NYCN (National Youth Council of Nigeria)
- Religious Leaders and Bodies
- All Concerned Stakeholders in Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA
We have waited patiently for far too long, and we can no longer afford the luxury of silence or inaction. I am giving an ultimatum to all stakeholders: if within the next 30 days, there is no concrete action taken to address this issue, the Igbogbo Students’ Union, in collaboration with other youth organizations, will have no choice but to peacefully protest and demand the attention that this matter deserves.
I must emphasize that this is not a threat but a solemn promise. As the President of the Igbogbo Students’ Union, I have a duty to protect the welfare of the students and to ensure that their voices are heard. Our students are the future of this community, and they deserve better than what they are currently experiencing. The road to quality education must not be filled with obstacles and hazards, especially when it comes to something as basic as transportation.
The current state of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu way is not only a failure of infrastructure but a failure of governance. It is a failure of promises made but not kept. And as such, we are calling for accountability from those in positions of power and influence.
To our dear stakeholders: IDEA, OBA in Council, the GAC Member, IBLCDA, Hon. AMA, Hon. JB, Sen. Abiru, IYC, NYCN, and our respected religious bodies, your leadership and interventions are desperately needed now more than ever. We ask that you step up and fulfill your roles as the custodians of our community’s well-being. We ask that you work collaboratively and with urgency, to bring about a solution to this crisis.
We, the students, are watching closely. We are ready to support any positive initiative toward this goal. However, if our pleas are ignored, we will take to the streets in a peaceful demonstration, exercising our constitutional rights to express our grievances.
The time for empty promises is over. We need action. We need progress. We need to see a visible commitment toward improving this road that has caused so much harm to our students, our families, and our future.
Enough is enough! Igbogbo must be great again!
Thank you.
Signed:
Abdulsalam Adebayo Tijani,
