General
FG, Akande-Sadipe, Community Blast Contractor Handling Olomi-Ijebu Road
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The contractor handling the Olomi-Ijebu Road, which links Oyo State to Ogun State, DC Engineering Nigeria Limited, has been lambasted for allegedly carrying out an unimpressive job.
During a tour of the road on Sunday by officials of the federal government and the House of Representatives member from Oluyole Federal Constituency, Mrs Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, it was stated that the 25 km Olomi-Ijebu Igbo Road was in deplorable conditions.
Mrs Akande-Sadipe, while speaking during the tour, submitted if the road is properly rehabilitated, it would stimulate economic activities, attract local and foreign investment, improve the quality of the road network and reduce the hardship on her constituents.
The lawmaker, who lamented the untold hardship commuters along the 25 km Olomi-Ijebu Igbo Road face on account of its present deplorable condition, also expressed displeasure at the present state of Liberty-Academy Road within her constituency.
She urged the Federal Ministry of Works to prevail on the construction company on the Olomi Road project to perform its obligation on the road in the interest of the people of the state.
“We have gone round and you have seen the Olomi road. It is deplorable and completely unacceptable. The design is flawed, it has been more of a death trap and has led to several deaths and Loss of property.
“How can a bridge on this kind of expanse of the road not be a dual carriageway,” she queried
“I appreciate the fact that the Ministry under the leadership of Mr Raji Fashola honoured our request for succour for Oluyole, as our road between Olomi and Ijebu Ode is extremely bad. The contractor, DC Engineering Limited has done a very poor job and has been too slow after so many years, with many portions of the road un-motorable,” she said.
“The officers of the Ministry should please ensure that the funds allocated are well spent and a satisfactory job delivered,” she added.
Mrs Akande-Sadipe, who chairs the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, noted that roads awarded in the state about three years ago when the Olomi-Ijebu road was awarded, have been completed, adding that within two years, the tarred parts of the road had developed problems, pointing to the poor quality of work.
On his part, the Commissioner, Public Complaint Commission, South-West, Mr Folawiyo, who joined the inspection, assured that the agency will ensure that the issues are dealt with and the contractor called to order.
He explained that the institution has jurisdiction to oversee federal government, state government and local governments projects and would do the needful with regard to this road. The Commissioner added that the agency is set to intervene in the delayed completion.
He asked the community to copy him in all complaints, adding that the commission will urgently assess such complaints, including those where the contractor solicited and received money from the communities in carrying out responsibilities on the project.
In his remarks, the Comptroller, Ogun State, Mr Umar Bakare, said the Ministry has taken it upon itself to technically inspect the road which he noted was in a very bad state. He promised speedy delivery of the mandates, saddled upon the Ministry in record time.
Thus, the inspection of the road, under the directive of the Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. Min. Raji Fashola will yield progress.
According to him, the Ministry will monitor the construction of the road and bridges, to ease the movement of traffic.
While thanking Mrs Akande-Sadipe for her interventions, he pointed at the lack of a proper drainage system and link roads to communities.
Meanwhile, community members also decried the substandard job executed by DC Engineering Limited, the Contractor on the site. They mentioned that the contractor skipped the Olomi market portion of the road, and abandoned the maintenance and upgrade at the Fatusi bridge end of the road.
On the other road inspected, the Liberty Academy Road, in her remarks, the South-West Zonal Coordinator, FERMA, Mrs Mary Adeniran, explained that as part of its duties, the agency will see to the maintenance of federal roads within Oluyole Federal Constituency.
She promised to follow up with a critical inspection of the road up to the Ogun State border towards further rehabilitation of the road.
The Baale of Olomi, Mr Samuel Oyewale, showered encomiums on the lawmaker for the constant infrastructural commitments to the constituency, including the provision of transformers.
Amongst issues raised was the statement made by the contractor that a former member of the House of Representatives had collected money paid on the project from him. The community members clarified that the Contractor had made this statement in the year 2018.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state government has not restricted the movement of people during the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Responding to an enquiry by an X user, Faveo Autos, on Saturday, he said the exercise was not brought back to restrict the movement of residents, noting that arresting anyone during the sanitation was unlawful and not backed by law.
However, he encouraged Lagosians to use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
“What is the fine for movement during environmental [sanitation]?” Mr Wahab was asked by Faveo Autos today.
In his response, the Commissioner said, “For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.
“The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures.”
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
