The Ogun State governor- Otunba Gbenga Daniel- was reported in the 8th of September edition of the Punch newspaper that he 'won’t repair bad roads now' because we are in the raining season. I read in utter disbelief and shock as the governor attempted to defend his administration's ill- reputation in road construction and rehabilitation in the State over the 5 years that he has been in power. The report appeared to expose the last remaining, barely-breathing argument of an administration that has shown the least concern and care for the welfare of its own people- in respect to a major infrastructural development of the state, if not in other things.

I was particularly shocked at the governor's attempt to systematically attributes its ill-reputation in road construction and rehabilitation in the State to rain and size of the state. My God, this is so laughable if not at the same time shoking! It will always rain in Ogun State as it does, and as much as it does, in most States in Nigeria and 'the whole of Lagos State' has always been 'about 15 per cent of Ogun State. From Ipokia to Ogun Waterside is four hours by road non-stop' as the governor alleges. What's new about these revelations? If the governor was not aware of these facts before he became a governor first in 2003, he surely became aware of them after four whole years of his first tenure. Given the general state of our roads in the country, no one really expects Ogun State to be the best state in Nigeria in terms the proper usage of that expression when compared to some countries even on the continent. BUt these are the exact issues on which the governor campaigned- not once- but twice. The attempt therefore, of the governor to justify its own ill-reputation or excuse it is a new low for the administration. How can the governor on one hand state that 'Ogun State has the best roads in the country' and in thesame breath urges us to wait until the end of the raining season when he 'will swing into action' and we shall 'see the difference!' What difference can you make to the best if his claim of 'having the best' is true? Nigerians should already have gotten tired of these type of comments from people that are ruling them. And they must be feeling powerless as they watch them attempt to laud their battered images on TV and in print at tax payers expense. The blatantly incorrect comparison of Lagos State landsize/resources to that of Ogun State by the governor is a deliberate emotional outcry raised for purpose of political expediency. Lagos State has more than 12 million citizens cramped in a state, according to the governor, about 15% the size of Ogun State! How about that fact that is so conviniently ignored?

The Oke-Aro/Akute road for instance, a death trap and daily cause of untold hardship and sorrow to thousands of residents and visitors, is a typical case in many of the state's abject failure to respond to the needs of its citizens. The section of this road between Giwa and Abule Osho in particular has a poorly designed and submerged bridge for more than a decade. The torturous and death defying passage over the river at this section has cost so many human lives and is a source of untold hardship to thousands who try to cross it everyday in search of livelihood or for social reasons. In his pre-elections campaigns- i.e. both in 2003 and 2007- the governor paid several lip services to his determnation to find the much needed lasting solution to this problem. So much tax payers' money- derived from the 'megre income' of the state compared to what Lagos State gets- has been wasted in clearing the waterway of leaves- which translates to removing leaves from the river close to the bridge area, to allow a river that has overpowering ability to encroach on and flood the surrounding area flow uncontrollably. The administration lauded this cosmetic and knee-jerk response as a major milestone of his administartion's commitement to alleviating hardship encouneterd by people living around this area. A measure that an ordinary cornershop owner will not spend his money to do in similar circumstances. Just downstream of this submerged bridge, at the Lagos State own side, a much better work has been done to alleviate the suffering people are daily subjected to in these areas. It just seems to me that most of our politcal office holders simply have a knack for wasting public money in ways that bewilder the mind! The final solution for this road may be expensive and complex, but I thought that is what elected officers are supposed to accomplish on behalf of their citizens. To whom much is given, much is expected. In the five years of Otunba Gbenga Daniel's administration, between two elections and more promises to the citizens of Ogun State living in this area of his State, more lives have been tragically but aviodably lost on this stretch of the road alone, and much more sorrow continues to be caused to the ordinary citizens and their families- average of 2 thousand school children travel over this bridge every day they go to school. Every single day the road remains in this states is a renewed chance for more tragedies to occur. These are the hallmarks of the administration for most people who live in this part of the state. 

Wheather the road is State- (or States) or Federal-owned does not matter to citizens whose lives and safety are being endangered by absymal administrative incompetencies. If the responsibility for this road rests with the Federal government, it probably will be a different case if the governor and Mrs Iyabo Obasanjo- the Senatorial representative of the district- are lobbying and using their political capital to make meaningful impacts at the Federal level to get the job done- enhancing and safeguarding their citizens' ability to move around, as they should, rather than the governor spinning the truth in the media. I am a tax-paying citizen of Ogun State and I find it quite offensive that the governor, who has just announced last week his intention to spend over a hundred million naira to refurbish the shrine of a dead woman (Bilikisu Oshugbo)- can utilize his access to the media to attempt to whitewash his absymal performance in road construction and rehabilitation to benefit the living- in the front of discerning readers that have grown tired of his insensitivity and lack of accountability.  

Disu Kamor

Robot  # 1 | 24.09.2008 02:39

The Ogun State governor-Otunba Gbenga Daniel-was reported in the 8th of September edition of thePunch newspaper that he 'won’t repair bad roads now' because we are in the ...Read the full article.

Olamide  # 2 | 24.09.2008 07:42

Ogun state has remained 'peaceful' through the power of thuggery and intimidation. The present administration has embarked on several white elephant projects that emphasizes more on noise and less on relevance to the immediate needs of the common people of the state. Renovation of Olumo rock in Abeokuta, building of stadiums, trailer parks that trailer drivers are not using etc. I am not surprised at the latest antics of the governor to renovate the grave of Bilikisu Sugbon with 170 Million Naira while traders are clustering the roads and public schools remain eyesores.

VOR  # 3 | 24.09.2008 14:44

Aaayaah, una pele o! At least the guy not only "refurbished" Olomo rock but installed lifts there to make things easier for "tourist" who visit the site..........and you say he doesn't care........

WaleAkin  # 4 | 24.09.2008 15:40

OGD as morbid as that name sound is nothing but a total failure to the entire Ogun State..............I ran into his convoy recently at Elewura roundabout and the menace of his security details was something else. OGD is what happens when we sell our collective conscience for a paltry 200NAIRA bill buttered in the middle of an AGEGE bread and passed on to voters at polling booths. Now, can anyone tell me what Otunba Gbenga Daniel has done since being sworn in 2003?

VOR  # 5 | 24.09.2008 15:51

Now, can anyone tell me what Otunba Gbenga Daniel has done since being sworn in 2003? Wale, how can you ask what Ogidi has done since 2003? haba!! He refurbished" Olomo rock and installed lifts there to make things easier for "tourist" who visit the site. Now you don't need to spend 10mins climbing the rock......an express lift will take you right to the top!! Think of all the school excursions made easier!! Then there is the market at Ogere - no one goes there o.......maybe ghost traders at night......henn, he is so caring that he even takes care of the dead! Then the trailer parks millions went into constructing though the trailer drivers insist on still parking on the Express - probably because they are scared to use the parks........too posh for them! Is it Ogidi's fault hennnn that these trailer drivers don't like better thing? And then he has cut down cult activism in the state - he has empowered the youths according to Ozogula - our dear Comm. for Youth and Sports and former eh hennn......... those cult boys and gals are now gainfully employed, don't ask me where though but they are on govt salary sha!! What more do you want from Ogidi now?:D

ajimoh  # 6 | 24.09.2008 16:13

Wake Akin, I am offended by the use of Agege in association with the political antics that brought OGD into power; dem no get bread for Lafenwa or Shagamu ni? I am interested as I was bread in Ifako-College in Agege and very proud of my bread place. VOR, In addition to the sterling achievements of OGD mentioned, do you happen to know which company won the contract for the installation of the lifts? Should it really matter, conflict of interests or not? One small achievement in the field of education that I know of, is that OGD’s children were all bundled to England not long after he became a Governor and that, I say, is a testament to his achievements in the field of education. No need to read any meaning into that, it was done for security reasons!

WaleAkin  # 7 | 24.09.2008 16:25

=VOR>Wale, how can you ask what Ogidi has done since 2003? haba!! Sarcasm, eh? =VOR>He refurbished" Olomo rock and installed lifts there to make things easier for "tourist" who visit the site. Now you don't need to spend 10mins climbing the rock......an express lift will take you right to the top!! Think of all the school excursions made easier!! Misplaced priority i'd say, na OLUMO ROCK we go chop? Its wholesomely annoying when i read that these Guys spend billions on tourism when an average Nigerian, say a resident of Kuto or even popular Saje has nothing to eat tonight. Its a social anomaly when our governmental priorities are not right and these Governors read annual budgets spiralling into billions. =VOR>Then the trailer parks millions went into constructing though the trailer drivers insist on still parking on the Express - probably because they are scared to use the parks........too posh for them! Is it Ogidi's fault hennnn that these trailer drivers don't like better thing? The trailer park at Sagamu on ur way to Mosimi? VOR, listen, these trailer Guys need and MUST be given easy access to the major motorways which is Sagamu-Ore-Benin and Sagamu-Lagos-Ibadan via Sapade junction and any right thinking Governor should know that he MUST do the right thing, its not about building a 21st century trailr park fitted with OXYGEN and ACs, its about siting it at the right location! =VOR>What more do you want from Ogidi now? Alot, alot my dear and the earlier we have him begin to do things right, the better for the masses of Ogun state The other day, he aired the wake keep, funeral and interment of his Mother live on state TV............What nonsense! =Ajimoh>Wake Akin, I am offended by the use of Agege in association with the political antics that brought OGD into power; dem no get bread for Lafenwa or Shagamu ni? I am interested as I was bread in Ifako-College in Agege and very proud of my bread place. There's even a bread place at Saje with Ewa and we called that old Mama, Mama Elewa Saje....................ok, OGD buttered loaves of Saje Bread:D with 200NAIRA bills On a serious note, are you an Agege Person? Where pls? Pen Cinema? Motor Park? LOL!!

ajimoh  # 8 | 24.09.2008 17:02

Wale Akin, Agege proper gan ni o. In my days, Pen Cinema was still operational; Dairy Farm was a farm with all the compliments of a modern day Dairy Farm; Lafro Gramms was still a citadel of learning ; most of us local lads played for Majekodunmi babes and played 'set' on eleruku stadium; one 'Banjo' of Anwar Ul Islam was the unofficial ruler of the domain; Government College Agege supplied the chics, etc......any home boy in the house?

VOR  # 9 | 24.09.2008 17:12

=ajimoh;273553>Wake Akin, I am offended by the use of Agege in association with the political antics that brought OGD into power; dem no get bread for Lafenwa or Shagamu ni? I am interested as I was bread in Ifako-College in Agege and very proud of my bread place. VOR, In addition to the sterling achievements of OGD mentioned, do you happen to know which company won the contract for the installation of the lifts? Should it really matter, conflict of interests or not? One small achievement in the field of education that I know of, is that OGD’s children were all bundled to England not long after he became a Governor and that, I say, is a testament to his achievements in the field of education. No need to read any meaning into that, it was done for security reasons! Ajimoh do you happen to know which company won the contract for the installation of the lifts? My people say...........na where person dey work na hin e go chop, no be so? What is conflict of interest now? which interest dey conflicted for hia? Abeg, do not "blackmail" de gofnor o! In ensuring continuity even the contract for the lifetime maintenance of the lifts was awarded to the same company! One small achievement in the field of education that I know of, is that OGD’s children were all bundled to England not long after he became a Governor and that, I say, is a testament to his achievements in the field of education. Yes ke! Not only education but foreign investment as well! Do you not realise that the Public schools he sent his children to only the creme de la creme attend! Business moguls etc....... imagine the children saying to their classmates "my daddy is gofnor in my country" Networking, my dear, networkkiinnnnnggg! Imagine the investments that will pour in? Infact, Ogidi realised this and built luxury hotels costing millions to accommodate the parents of this children- what foresight!! it was done for security reasons! Exactly! Infact Ogun state is the most peaceful state in the entire federation according to Ozogula, our dear Comm. for Youth and Sports and former eh hennn.......... Alot, alot my dear and the earlier we have him begin to do things right, the better for the masses of Ogun state The other day, he aired the wake keep, funeral and interment of his Mother live on state TV............What nonsense! Wale, this is nothing but cheap blackmail! Who told you he is not doing things right henn, who told you? Did you not read what I wrote? Ajimoh even mentioned his achievement in the field of education! Ogidi a true son of Isoko d soil how can you say he is not doing things right? Listen my friend stop allowing Ogidi's enemies in Lagos to use you o!! eh henn What is wrong in airing his funeral of his mother, is she not a government official too, henn Wale, was she not "First Mother"? Please stop this blackmail!! Who sent you, tell me who sent you? This is just politics of bad belle jo!;)

WaleAkin  # 10 | 24.09.2008 17:29

=ajimoh;273573>Wale Akin, Agege proper gan ni o. In my days, Pen Cinema was still operational; Dairy Farm was a farm with all the compliments of a modern day Dairy Farm; Lafro Gramms was still a citadel of learning ; most of us local lads played for Majekodunmi babes and played 'set' on eleruku stadium; one 'Banjo' of Anwar Ul Islam was the unofficial ruler of the domain; Government College Agege supplied the chics, etc......any home boy in the house? Whaoooooo..........this is must have been in the early 60's:smile: =VOR>Wale, this is nothing but cheap blackmail! Who told you he is not doing things right henn, who told you? Did you not read what I wrote? Ajimoh even mentioned his achievement in the field of education! Ogidi a true son of Isoko d soil how can you say he is not doing things right? Listen my friend stop allowing Ogidi's enemies in Lagos to use you o!! eh henn What is wrong in airing his funeral of his mother, is she not a government official too, henn Wale, was she not "First Mother"? Please stop this blackmail!! Who sent you, tell me who sent you? This is just politics of bad belle jo!;) Yeah right........Bad belle indeed! If we talk am, we go die, if we no talk am, we go still die.........Make we kukuma talk am jare. OGD is a political error!

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