Ejigbo LCDA Boss, OBE Commission Road Project with Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi 

The chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos, Hon. Morufu Oloyede Bello (OBE) with his management team and residents of Ejigbo community welcomed the Yoruba foremost Monarch, the Arole Oodua, Ooni of Ife, HIM, Oba Dr. Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II to the community for the commissioning of a reconstructed 26 years abandoned Ifoshi road. The road construction was executed and completed by the administration of Hon. Monsuru Oloyede Bello (OBE).

The road constructed in 1980 by the administration of Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.) to connect Idimu and its environs was abandoned and no longer motorable until the administration of Hon. Oloyede Bello (OBE) reconstructed it and was commissioned by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi on Thursday, 5/9/2024.

In his address at the commissioning, the revered monarch expressed his pleasure at the grassroot development, and commended the LCDA Chairman, Mr. Oloyede Bello (OBE) for ensuring that not only the residents of his LCDA felt the impact, but they enjoyed the dividend of democracy.

“Mr. Chairman, I commend your giant stride and the laudable projects you are executing in your LCDA for your people. This is a practicalised dividend of democracy”. Also, thanks to the residents and people of Ejigbo for supporting the chairman and his team towards successful reconstruction and completion of the abandoned road for 26 years. “To the residents of Ejigbo LCDA, this successful construction, completion and commission Ifoshi road can only be achieved with your support and cooperation. Kudos to your unrelenting support to achieve this strategic feat in your local council area.”

The monarch praised the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a state governor and other Lagos successive governors, including the incumbent, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for ensuring the autonomy of the local council in the state which has led to massive development and spreading the dividends of democracy at the grassroot level in the state. “The implementation and reconstruction of this long length and wider road would not have been possible if the councils had not been enjoying devolution of power and autonomy in the state”.

Oba Ogunwusi called on other state governments in Nigeria to emulate Lagos State by ensuring that local councils in their states enjoy financial autonomy to develop the grassroots. It’s practical in Lagos, I am here, and I’ve seen it myself, for a local government chairman to embark on a huge project like this and execute it  successfully. “It’s a courageous move”, he commended.

I really thank President Tinubu for what he has done for our nation, which they have practiced in Lagos and it’s working. Politics is local, development is local, and I am experiencing it today. I am using this opportunity to call on every state government in Nigeria that this is the only way forward for our dear country’s development. The more we have the evolution of powers and the local government autonomy, the better for our nation. If we don’t change things, it’s not going to work”, he said.

Oba Ogunwusi acknowledged the current hardship faced by citizens, and appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the president. “I know the leader we have, he is thinking ahead, and I am positive that things will come down soon. What have been the major challenges are being worked out for lasting solutions. The fuel price and the cost of living will soon come down, and I appeal to everyone, especially the youth, let us be patient with the current government, things will be better in this country”, Ogunwusi pleaded.

“With what we have now and what is happening now, the prices of petroleum products will come down. Do not allow anyone to push you to go and riot, or destroy things. That is not the solution to our problems. There is global inflation, all over the world, it is not only in Nigeria, please and please, let us be patient with this government, things will be better in this country”, Ogunwusi assured.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Hon. Monsuru Oyedele Bello expressed his joy of commissioning the road, which he described as demonstration of his commitment to fulfill his promises to the people of Ejigbo.

He appealed to the residents, commercial bus drivers, shop owners, business centers, and other road users to make good use of the road and stop illegal parking, display of ware, and trading on the road or turning it to illegal mechanic workshops.

The Ifoshi Road commission attracted royal fathers from the surrounding community, hosted by HRM, Oba Moroof Adisa Ojoola, the Ojon of Ejigbo & Ijon Kingdom. The presence of party bigwigs was felt with attendance of the former Lagos APC Chairman, and current member, GAC, Chief Henry Ajomale, current Lagos APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, member, GAC, Chief Imran Taiwo, and other dignitaries.

Highlights of the road commission was an open appeal from the residents, who humbly requested the respected monarch to endorse and blessed the LCDA chairman for the next phase of political representation in continuation of his stewardship.