A delegation of who is who in Ogun state led by Governor Dapo Abiodun met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja on Tuesday, with the President affirming that if MKO Abiola had been allowed to rule Nigeria, as a bridge-builder, he could have prevented the religious and tribal issues besetting the country now from happening.
President Buhari said: “If MKO Abiola was allowed to rule, the religious and tribal issues now in Nigeria would not have been as strong, because he ran on a Muslim-Muslim ticket, chose his deputy from the Kanuri, a minority tribe and because of his personality, he went across Nigeria and was accepted.
“He used his resources and energy to convince Nigerians that all he wanted was a solid Nigeria and nothing else.”
The President also said that he named the National Stadium, a national monument after the late politician because he knows that the youths would want to find out why such an important national institution was named after MKO Abiola in future.
According to a statement by Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), the President expressed appreciation to Governor Dapo Abiodun for mobilising such a strong delegation to thank him for the gesture towards their illustrious son.
The Ogun State delegation had come to thank the President for the honour done the late MKO Abiola, an indigene of the State, by conferring on him the highest national honour, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) for his ultimate sacrifice in enthroning democracy.
The delegation, which presented a big talking drum to the President, also used the opportunity to solicit for the rehabilitation of some federal roads as well as other critical infrastructure in the State, which they are convinced will decongest the gridlock occasioned by the movement of consignments along the Apapa – Oshodi expressway and improve the standard of living of Nigerians along the corridor.
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Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Governor Abiodun, noted that federal roads connecting Ogun to Lagos and elsewhere were grossly under-funded.
He said the state has requested to take over the Shagamu-Ikorodu and Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta roads which are important for the industrial corridor in the area.
He said: “Today, those roads, Shagamu to Ikorodu, Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta are federal roads. We appreciate what the federal government is doing particularly round the whole country but we know that there is limited funds available to put in all projects.
“Those roads are grossly underfunded. For example, Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta was contracted in 2001, this is 2019 that road is not completed. That is road on its fourth agendum. This year, the budget for that road is about a billion naira. That road requires another N26 billion to complete and we know we cannot burden the federal government.
“So, we are graciously asking them. ditto for Shagamu-Ikorodu. Those roads are extremely important to us.
“If the Shagamu-Ikorodu road is given to us, it will ease the traffic that is going on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
“If we construct Epe-Ijebu Ode road, it means people coming from East and from Ijebu no longer have to go through the Lagos Ibadan Express Way.
“Also, if you look at the corridor that goes from Lagos-Abeokuta, if that road is indeed completed, it means all these roads will suffer less wear and tear. That same road goes to Agbara which is one of our biggest industrial hub.
“So, we are asking for these roads for purely economic reasons and also for the ease of connectivity and access for our people.
“Our people live in Ogun and work in Lagos. At times, they have to wake up at 4 am to be able to make it to the office at 8 am.
“We need to improve this and this is the mandate that has been given to us.”
Among those on the Ogun state delegation were Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Segun Osoba, Segun Awolowo, Olabisi Durojaiye, Kola Abiola, Lanre Tejuosho, Hafsat Abiola, Akin Otudeko, Olu of Ilaro, Oba Olungbenle and Akarigbo of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi.
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