Ifoshi Road Gets Facelift After 26 Years

Charles Ajunwa writes that Ifoshi Road after 26 years of being abandoned has received a facelift, bringing respite to the residents of Ejigbo in Lagos State

For over two decades, residents of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State went through grueling times while using Ifoshi Road, the only inlets and outlets that takes and connects Ejigbo to other parts of the Mainland and Island. Those who administered the council in the past couldn’t muster the political will to fix the deplorable condition of Ifoshi Road despite its economic importance to the community. 

In 2023, the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Hon. Monsurudeen Oloyede Bello, an indigene erected big banners at strategic points within the community with the inscription, ‘Ifoshi Road, 24 Years of Bondage’. It was a clear message to those who had been feeding fat on Ifoshi Road to back off. Bello popularly called ‘OBE’ by admirers quickly mobilised contractors who reconstructed Ifoshi Road within one and half years. Residents of Ejigbo can now heave a sigh of relief after years of mental torture due to impassable state of Ifoshi Road.

On September 5, the residents of Ejigbo in their thousands rolled out their drums to welcome His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and other important dignitaries from all walks of life to the inauguration of the Ifoshi Road executed by the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Hon. Bello who dressed in simple ankara. Bello, who welcomed all guests to the event hardly sat down as he moved round to ensure that everything went well as planned. Originally, the inauguration of Ifoshi Road was scheduled for August 29 but had to be rescheduled due to Ooni’s engagement in another state.

The Ooni who delivered his speech with Bello beside him on the podium, addressed the mammoth crowd in Yoruba and English. The revered monarch publicly praised the Ejigbo LCDA boss for working selflessly for his people.

Looking splendent in his white royal apparel, the Ooni whose address said “This occasion is not just the opening of a new road but a monumental step in the journey of progress and development for the people of Ejigbo. I want to begin by expressing my heartfelt appreciation to Hon. Monsurudeen Oloyede Bello, the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, for his leadership and dedication to the advancement of this community. The vision and tireless efforts of your administration have brought us to this important milestone, and for that, we are all grateful. Also, recognising Oba Moruf Adisa Ojoola, the Ojon of Ejigbo and Ijan Land for is unwavering commitments to the peace, unity and progress of Ejigbo Land. 

“Today, we are reminded of the profound impact that good governance and collaboration have on the lives of the people. Infrastructure, particularly roads, serves as the backbone of any thriving community. It’s through roads that we connect our families, build our businesses, access education, and share our culture. In essence, roads are the pathways to prosperity.

“The construction of Ifoshi Road is a testament to what can be achieved when leaders are driven by the desire to serve and when communities come together to support their leaders. This iconic road is a bridge that links the present to the future for more prosperities and development. 

“I want to commend the leadership of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area for these remarkable achievements. I pray that it serves as an enduring legacy for the unborn generation and grants you more wisdom to steer the ship of this administration successfully.

“However, the journey does not end with the commissioning of this road. It is merely the beginning of a new chapter in the development of Ejigbo. I encourage the people of this community to continue to work hand in hand with your leaders to ensure that this road remains a source of pride and a catalyst for further growth. et us maintain it, protect it, and ensure that it serves generations to come. 

“Furthermore, I urge you all to remain united and steadfast in your pursuit of progress. The strength of any community is in its unity and its ability to come together to face challenges and seize opportunities. et this road be a reminder of what we can accomplish when we stand together, guided by a shared vision and and a commitment to the common good. 

“In conclusion, I commend the leadership of Ejigbo LCDA for this remarkable achievement. May this road lead to increased prosperity, greater opportunities, and a more connected community. May it serve as a symbol of the enduring partnership between the people of Ejigbo and their leaders.

“I pray that the Almighty continues to bless this land and its people, guiding you all in your endeavours and granting you the wisdom to navigate the road ahead,” Ooni said. 

 The Ooni also called on Nigerians to be patient with the government of President Tinubu, assuring that things would get better soon.

Earlier in his welcome address, Bello went down memory lane, saying “In 2003, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCR) initiated a referendum to create more local government in Lagos State, resulting in quality development at the grassroots level. Since then, Ejigbo’s infrastructural development has remained at the forefront, giving our people a sense of renewed hope.

“Today’s commissioning demonstrates our commitment to fulfilling our promises. During my campaign,  I vowed to implement a transparent, evidence-based pan to support infrastructural development through high-quality public investment and effective service delivery across all sectors. 

“The popular Daleko Ejigbo route, which connected our town with other nearby settlements back then, was the only option available to Ejigbo  town for inlets and outlets since the beginning of time. But in te late 1970’s, the federal government buit the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, which led to the construction of the Mushin-Isolo-Ejigbo-Ikotun-Egbe Express Road, another well-travelled route. This road serves as a feeder access to the Apapa motorway, but it has given the indigenous Ifoshi Royal Family a tremendous opportunity to create Ifoshi Road, a ink connecting the interior section of Ejigbo. 

“In 1998, Colonel Muhammad Buba Marwa, the Military Administrator of Lagos State, constructed the road with asphalt and drainage to connect Idimu and its surrounding areas. This road has not been rehabilitated by any other government in the past 26 years.

“Also, in the past, economic activities along this corridor were nothing to write home about, but against the backdrop of quality road network within the Alimosho axis and the reconstruction of the Oshodi Airport Road, which has contributed significantly to the improvements in our economic fundamentals as a result of our giant strides and developmental agenda, our road infrastructure is being over-stressed on a daily basis, and there is therefore an urgent need for more federal and state interventions. I would therefore want to use this occasion to appeal to or Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, regarding the strategic restoration of Kayode Double Powerline and Ilamoshe Estate Canoe roads, which will further ease traffic not only within our community but give proper meaning to the two  strategic terminal centres of Oshodi and International Airports of Ikeja, while appreciating Mr. Governor for the newly awarded and ongoing Ailegun Road.”

Bello had to pause his address intermitently due shouts of ‘OBE’ which rented the air. 

Continuing, he said, “Your Majesty, please allow me to briefly say that the terrible nature of traffic witnessed by residents of our neighbourhood was becoming a growing concern until one of your illustrious sons, Hon. Kehinde Oladapo Bamigbetan, who is my predecessor, came to our rescue, leveraging on his network and influence. His efforts resulted in the construction of the Canoe Kudirat Adenekan Road, the Idimu-Ejigbo Road, and many other state interventions.

“My dear good people of Ejigbo, the strategic importance of today’s event reinforced our developmental agenda which emphasises our commitment to ensure a better Ejigbo. Road network is a means of veritable communication and this would bring out the economic and commercial potentials of these areas. 

“Our administration has established ways to sustain the confidence and trust that the entire Ejigbo residents repose in us. You have all continued to have faith in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and in us, believing that we can fulfill our electoral pledges. We will keep doing these until Ejigbo becomes the envy of all.”

Apart from the inauguration of Ifoshi Road, Bello also enumerated other projects completed under his watch. “As a responsive government, we firmly believe in the vision and tenacity of our founding fathers to work towards improving the quality of lives for our people through programmes, initiatives, and the development of high-quality infrastructure. Not too long ago, our beloved State’s Deputy Governor, His Excellency Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, visited Ejigbo to officially commission a recently constructed public primary school. 

“In addition, we have constructed Aaba-Moshelasi Park, an impressive multi purpose facility, a suitable CDC building, and numerous roads, including a network of roads inside Iyalaje Estate, NEPA Road, Dauda Ilo Road, Falana Road, and Sue Sule Ajegunle, to name a few. 

“I would want to use this opportunity to make a request to all the people who live along this corridor: residents, commercial bus drivers, shop and business owners, mechanics, and everyone else who uses the road: please do not misuse it by parking on the road, trading illegally, or turning our roadways into illegal mechanic shops. Any act of indiscipline on this road will not be tolerated. To arrive at this point we are today entails tough decisions, we are reforming the system and building legacies for generations yet unborn.

“Your Imperial Majesty, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in furtherance of our continued commitment to the development  and infrastructural renewal of Ejigbo, it gives me great pleasure to inform you all that in the next few weeks, we shall be commissioning other landmark projects such as the state-of-art Local Council Secretariat, a modern motor park, a modern and well-equipped primary health centre (Morning Star PHC), and Kashimawo Alimi Road, to name a few,” Bello said.

He acknowledged support and collaboration received from the Executive Committee, Legislative Arm of the Local Council Development Area, Management team and entire members of staff of the CDA, whom he said without them Ifoshi Road projects would not have been possible. “Your dedication to the vision we share for Ejigbo CDA has been crucial in bringing this project to fruition,” adding, “The continued peaceful-existence demonstrated by all and sundry in this LCDA is a source of strength to the entire management of our council.

“My heartfelt gratitude goes out to everybody both within and outside this community who has been part of our success story. We also appreciate our traditional and religious leaders, market men and women, community leaders, who ensured that peace reigns in our community as without them, we would not have been able to come this far.

After unveiling of the road by Ooni, Bello while addressing journalists said, “We will not stop working, we will continue to work for the people of Ejigbo. You could see the volume of praises showered on my administration. That calls for more service…If Ejigbo could feel this high honour and we could see the excitement in the face of everybody here today, definitely Nigeria will see a greater tomorrow. I want to thank everybody most especially, the Imperial Majesty, all the way from Osun State Ile-Ife to be here today. To come and celebrate with the people of Ejigbo. I want to thank him that God Almighty would continue to protect and enlarge his coast. And that goes to all royal fathers who have taken time to be here today. Despite the hot weather, everybody sat down comfortably to wait for the Ooni of Ife. I want to thank Oba Moruf Ojoola and other traditional rulers who have been here for several hours. I must thank the GAC members – Baba Ajomale, Baba Taiwo and several others. Also not left out are members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Commissioner for Local Government and so many other dignitaries I couldn’t mention. I want to thank all of them for coming to this occasion. I’m overwhelmed, this is a joyous moment for me.

“Well, you must understand the economic importance of Ejigbo Road, apart from the political influence that is attached to this road, 60 per cent of our economy in Ejigbo is being administered on this road. So this is the major entry point, this is the only inlets and outlets  that takes and connects Ejigbo to the Island and Mainland. So it’s very imperative that we should take the bull by the horns, I don’t mind whether the road belongs to a government that is higher than me. We are all members of the same party, we’re all members of the same family. If I decide to do a state road it doesn’t take anything away from the local government. It doesn’t stop us from doing other inner roads which we have demonstrated in the recent past. 

“So Ifoshi Road is very important to me. I’m a native of Ejigbo. I was born here, I grew up here and I schooled here and I know that without this road our economy would not prosper. And I know that without this road, some of us who are members of political parties, particularly our political party, APC, have a query to answer. Today, we have demonstrated that we could take any project no matter how big it is. If we are able to tackle Ifoshi Road within just a year and half without taking the money from any bank, using our own intellectual capacity, our engineering technology to do Ifoshi Road then other roads are easier for us to do. Our people should relax, we’re still going to do more. I’m not going, if my tenure ends I’m still here in Ejigbo.

“We have put up maintenance measures. The first one is that if you go through the road now in Elewi you will see some of the signages we put on, telling people not to park indiscriminately, telling you not to use the road for workshops or any other thing. Telling people not to turn it into a trading environment. I want to appeal to them that henceforth that the road has been inaugurated, local government would start enforcing our maintenance order. No indiscriminate parking on the road particularly on the left side inward Eyana Ejigbo. People should take note of this because we are going to enforce this law. People should stop putting wares on the road, if you must trade, go to the market or do it outside the drainage system, not on the drainage system and not on the road. This is to enable the road to last longer.

“As a local government, we have also taken our own steps by making sure that we have employed a very competent contractor who has guaranteed us that in the next 10 years no potholes would be seen on this road. And you could see the concept of the road, it was divided into two – asphalt section and interlocking section. What informs that is the result of our material testing that up the road we can use asphalt and down here we can use interlocking. it’s a way of managing the cost and allowing value for the money,” Bello explained. 

Other dignitaries that graced the ceremony include, Governor’s Advisory Council Members, Chief Imran Taiwo, Chief Henry Ajomale, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert and many others. 

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Today, we are reminded of the profound impact that good governance and collaboration have on the lives of the people. Infrastructure, particularly roads, serves as the backbone of any thriving community. It’s through roads that we connect our families, build our businesses, access education, and share our culture. In essence, roads are the pathways to prosperity