Bad road: Diaspora group writes Buhari, laments incessant death
Sodiq Oyeleke
President Muhammad Buhari should give urgent attention to deplorable roads in Nigeria, Nigerian Muslims in Diaspora (NMiD, United Kingdom) has appealed.
The United Kingdom based group said this in a letter written to the president after the death of a Nigeria Professor of Economics, AbdulHakeem Ishola Mobolaji along with his son, Muhammad in an auto crash along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
It would be recalled that in the accident, which happened on Sunday, September 22, Mobolaji's second son, AbdulHafiz and a friend, Barrister AbdulRasheed Attah survived.
Prof. Mobolaji was until his death the acting Vice-Chancellor of Fountain University, Osogbo; a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ilorin and the Board Chairman of Al-Barakah Microfinance Bank.
The letter, made available to our correspondent on Sunday via electronic mail, was signed by the NMID Administrative Director, Idris Shofolahan and 21 other members.
The letter read in part, "We, the undersigned group of Nigerians in diaspora, seek your urgent attention regarding the deplorable state of road infrastructure in Nigeria in general, and the Lagos-Ibadan Express Way in particular. Many of us lived in Nigeria for significant parts of our adult lives and still visit the country often, during which we commute on this very important road in the South -Western part of Nigeria.
"No one commuting through the Lagos-Ibadan Express road, either as a driver or a passenger, will do so with a restful mind. The number of lives that have been lost on this very important national road is just too many to count.
"The number of near misses experienced on a daily basis is only a stark reminder of the jeopardy which this road poses to millions of Nigerians and visitors to the country, irrespective of their ethnic, creed or other affiliations. Of recent, one of the many talents in the academic circuit in Nigeria was killed on this same road and many more have been killed in the recent and distant past."
The group added that the rate of accidents on the road called for decisive action, lamenting that the bad roads are reducing the pride of the nation.
The letter added, "As a Muslim group, we are concerned about the dangerous state of this road. Moreover, we are also reminded of the emphasis that Islam puts on the protection of lives and properties. In fact, on this occasion of Hajj, we are also reminded that Makkah was the same city in which our Prophet Muhammad was instrumental in the Hilful-Fudhul; a group of youth who felt the need to contribute positively to the society by making efforts to reduce the negative societal milieu at the time. This was not only for the benefit of the Muslims, since this was before Prophethood, rather it was for the overall good of the society.
"The deplorable state of the road for such a long period suggests to us that there is the need for a strong and decisive action requiring your personal endorsement and oversight. The lack of street lightings, poorly tarred stretches, very small lanes and sections where both incoming and outgoing cars are at dangerously close distance to each other, are just some of the contributors to the deplorable state of a road that should rather be a National pride."
They, however, challenged the President to ensure the safety of all citizens, reminding him that he will be accountable to God.
"We are therefore calling on you with trust that you also have similar concerns as we have expressed. Finally, your Excellency, we are also reminded of our individual and communal accountability to Allah (God) – as leaders accountable to the followers and indeed as followers who have the duty to follow the leader and advise him.
We pray to Allah (God) to continue to guide and guard your leadership and all the tiers of government," the letter stated.
Sodiq Oyeleke
President Muhammad Buhari should give urgent attention to deplorable roads in Nigeria, Nigerian Muslims in Diaspora (NMiD, United Kingdom) has appealed.
The United Kingdom based group said this in a letter written to the president after the death of a Nigeria Professor of Economics, AbdulHakeem Ishola Mobolaji along with his son, Muhammad in an auto crash along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
It would be recalled that in the accident, which happened on Sunday, September 22, Mobolaji's second son, AbdulHafiz and a friend, Barrister AbdulRasheed Attah survived.
Prof. Mobolaji was until his death the acting Vice-Chancellor of Fountain University, Osogbo; a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ilorin and the Board Chairman of Al-Barakah Microfinance Bank.
The letter, made available to our correspondent on Sunday via electronic mail, was signed by the NMID Administrative Director, Idris Shofolahan and 21 other members.
The letter read in part, "We, the undersigned group of Nigerians in diaspora, seek your urgent attention regarding the deplorable state of road infrastructure in Nigeria in general, and the Lagos-Ibadan Express Way in particular. Many of us lived in Nigeria for significant parts of our adult lives and still visit the country often, during which we commute on this very important road in the South -Western part of Nigeria.
"No one commuting through the Lagos-Ibadan Express road, either as a driver or a passenger, will do so with a restful mind. The number of lives that have been lost on this very important national road is just too many to count.
"The number of near misses experienced on a daily basis is only a stark reminder of the jeopardy which this road poses to millions of Nigerians and visitors to the country, irrespective of their ethnic, creed or other affiliations. Of recent, one of the many talents in the academic circuit in Nigeria was killed on this same road and many more have been killed in the recent and distant past."
The group added that the rate of accidents on the road called for decisive action, lamenting that the bad roads are reducing the pride of the nation.
The letter added, "As a Muslim group, we are concerned about the dangerous state of this road. Moreover, we are also reminded of the emphasis that Islam puts on the protection of lives and properties. In fact, on this occasion of Hajj, we are also reminded that Makkah was the same city in which our Prophet Muhammad was instrumental in the Hilful-Fudhul; a group of youth who felt the need to contribute positively to the society by making efforts to reduce the negative societal milieu at the time. This was not only for the benefit of the Muslims, since this was before Prophethood, rather it was for the overall good of the society.
"The deplorable state of the road for such a long period suggests to us that there is the need for a strong and decisive action requiring your personal endorsement and oversight. The lack of street lightings, poorly tarred stretches, very small lanes and sections where both incoming and outgoing cars are at dangerously close distance to each other, are just some of the contributors to the deplorable state of a road that should rather be a National pride."
They, however, challenged the President to ensure the safety of all citizens, reminding him that he will be accountable to God.
"We are therefore calling on you with trust that you also have similar concerns as we have expressed. Finally, your Excellency, we are also reminded of our individual and communal accountability to Allah (God) – as leaders accountable to the followers and indeed as followers who have the duty to follow the leader and advise him.
We pray to Allah (God) to continue to guide and guard your leadership and all the tiers of government," the letter stated.
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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