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Peter Obi Hopes for a Future with Safe and Well-Maintained Roads
Peter Obi, a prominent Nigerian politician and former governor of Anambra State, recently shared his frustrations with the poor state of Nigerian roads.
Obi was on his way to Esan Central in Edo State to attend the funeral of Mrs.
Ebaidebheki Esakhaigbe, the mother of his close friend, General Cecil Esekhaigbe, when his journey was abruptly halted by roadblocks and impassable routes.
Setting out at 8 a.m., Obi had initially planned a straightforward route through Benin, but his previous encounters with the deteriorating roads on that path made him reconsider.
He chose instead to travel through Agbor, hoping it would be a smoother alternative.
But upon reaching Agbor Junction, he was disheartened to find that the road was barely passable, with large potholes and rough surfaces making the trip increasingly difficult.
Just 25 minutes into the journey, Obi’s hopes were crushed as he encountered a stalled trailer blocking the road entirely.
The vehicle had caused a gridlock, leaving all movement at a standstill.
Determined to reach his destination, he rerouted through Ugoneki Road, another alternative that seemed promising.
However, the condition of the road was equally appalling, making it impossible for him to proceed.
Reflecting on his experience, Obi voiced deep disappointment over the state of Nigerian roads, which he said causes grief for countless citizens who rely on them daily.
Unable to attend the funeral in person, he sent his earnest prayers to his friend, General Esekhaigbe, for a successful event, expressing regret for not being able to bid farewell to Mrs. Ebaidebheki Esakhaigbe in person.
In his statement, Obi appealed passionately to Nigerian leaders, urging them to prioritize infrastructure maintenance over launching new projects.
“I use this opportunity to continue to plead with our political leaders, at all levels, to concentrate on maintaining, rehabilitating, and reconstructing our existing roads and other infrastructure rather than embarking on new projects that will never be completed,” he said.
His words echoed the sentiment of many Nigerians who are weary of unfulfilled promises regarding road development and are eager for real improvements.
General Cecil Esekhaigbe, the host of the funeral Obi hoped to attend, is a distinguished figure in the Nigerian military with roots in Edo State.
Known for his dedication to service and his strong connection to his community, Esekhaigbe has been a close ally of Obi.
The general’s mother, Mrs Ebaidebheki Esakhaigbe, was cherished by her family and respected in her community, and her passing was a moment of mourning not only for her family but for the community that knew her well.
Concluding, Obi expressed a desire for a “New Nigeria” where citizens can travel freely and safely, envisioning a future where infrastructure truly meets the needs of the people.
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
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