The infamous Ojuelegba overhead bridge

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Sometime in 2005 someone thought it wise to put up a pedestrian bridge at Ojuelegba. Ordinarily this shouldn't be an issue but if you have ever driven under this pedestrian bridge, you will know what I am talking about. This bridge was constructed over a very narrow road that can easily be crossed by foot without any problems. So I ask, what prompted whoever put up the bridge to do so? The real news however is that the bridge was demolished yesterday. Throughout the lifetime of this bridge, not a single soul used it. Just imagine a pedestrian bridge in front of your house and you will know what I mean.

Just goes to show you how deep seated our problems are. Was there a study on the pedestrian traffic in the area, or a study on accidents if any in the area? Something, anything to justify building a pedestrian bridge there. Taxpayers' money down the drain. Yet the Gbagada expressway which has claimed many lives crossing the road doesn't have a single pedestrian bridge. I just wonder wetin dey do us sef. People take decisions everyday that affect other people's lives yet they don't give enough thought to their actions. There must be a special place in hell for such people!

Anyway, we will continue to pray for leaders who will do the right thing at the right time.

Goodbye Ojuelegba bridge!

Water, light, food, house

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I have been listening to all the Presidential candidates contesting under various parties and one thing that strikes me is the common approach to campaigning. It seems that all the candidates do is state Nigeria's problems e.g no water, no light, bad roads, bad this bad that, corruption etc and then tell us we will get the exact opposite of our problems. None of them has told us exactly how they are going to provide these things. Even a five year old will tell you Nigeria's problems. It just shows you how bereft of ideas and imagination some of our leaders are. A look at the crop of our leaders is a sharp contrast to the brains available throughout the country.

When will we begin to debate issues and unfold concrete plans for the nation instead of mere rhetoric and promises with no substance. I will end poverty is not a campaign promise, it is merely rhetoric. The Nigerian public is getting more sophisticated so I would like to believe that our votes cannot be curried using the same campaign style of the past. We need something new and fresh.

If you haven't registered to vote, please do so as quickly as possible. Voter apathy will not help our country in anyway.

Cheers

Coming to Nigeria

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I haven't posted for a while because I was away on compulsory training. This last trip was my second longest time away from Nigeria. Whenever I travel out of the country (to developed countries) it usually for a week or so but this time I was out for two weeks. Ordinarily this shouldn't be an issue but the truth is that the longer you stay away from Nigeria, the more difficult it is to adjust when you get back. You get used to constant power supply, an efficient transportation system, running water all the time and everything at your finger tips. You then have to come back to Nigeria and the first thing you face is several touts offering to help carry your luggage, change forex for you and generally make you "feel at home". The last thing you want after a long trip is badgering and harrassment. You then drive out of one of the worst airports in the world and observe that the sides of the roads are littered with debris. That is if the traffic leading to Ajao Estate doesn't stop you in your tracks. You know, if you are visiting Nigeria for the first time, this is exactly what you will encocunter. Day in day out new visitors to Nigeria have their worst fears confirmed when they experience such a rowdy and mad airport.

I am happy to be back home and I have no intentions of relocating but I honestly wish our leaders will take steps to improve the lot of Nigerians. These people visit other countries and see the way things are. I don't think it is impossible for Lagos to have a mass transit system just like London, Paris or New York. It is very doable. All we need is a man with a vision and of course the tenacity to see it through. We have enough money to meet all our requirements but mismanagement, corruption and a lack of vision has kept us at this level. I'm not asking for Nigerian scientists to take us to Mars, just basic things that don't require extra brains to do.

I am confident that it will happen in my lifetime!