I had the most embarrassing experience of my life recently. And it was all thanks to Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives and presently, the Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
So much has been said and written about this man, but none prepared me for what I encountered a few weeks ago. I was to visit a dear friend in Aguda, Surulere. I had promised to be at his house for 3pm. His house is off Adetola. I know Adetola very well, my older sister, lived there for years when she got married.
I set out early from Ikoyi. Google Map indicated the journey should be no more than 37mins, that is, going through Western Avenue and Alhaji Masha. I left my home at 2 o’clock in the afternoon to give myself enough time. I drove down Apongbon towards the National Stadium. As I drove towards Shitta Roundabout, that was where the problem started.
Was I to go over the bridge or under the bridge. Everything was confusing. I turned into what I later learnt, was Adeniran Ogunsanya. Didn’t recognise the place. It has been completely transformed. I drove into Bode Thomas and also couldn’t believe what I saw. Before me, was a well laid out road network with pedestrian walkways. I had to park and refer to Google map again, to make sure I was in the right place. I was so confused, I couldn’t interpret Google map accurately.
I ended up driving back and forth the length of Babs Animashaun. I then drove down the newly built Census Bridge. For 2 hours I was driving aimlessly around Surulere. Meanwhile, I was taking-in, and marvelling at the grandeur of the re-development and urban regeneration around me. After a while, I just parked on James Robertson. Didn’t know how I got there. But the question is; who the heck changed the landscape of Surulere and got me lost that I couldn’t find my way to Aguda. Whoever it was, I HATE HIM.
I was told the man who single handedly facilitated all this transformation was no other than, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President and former Speaker of the House of Representatives representing Surulere Federal Constituency. How on earth did this man transform a whole Lagos suburb, that it would be unrecognisable.
He used his political office for the betterment of his constituency. He built Roads, Hospitals, Police Stations, Power Substations, Community Centres, Halls of Residence, Recreational Facilities and Mini Stadia for his constituents. Outside Surulere, He built a Hall of Residence in Unilag, Akoka and a Conference Centre in LASU Ojo.
Others would rather have amassed immense personal wealth and oppress the people they serve, but Femi Gbajabiamila chose otherwise. Gbaja has left a lasting legacy for generations to come.
He recently launched a free transport scheme with 33 buses for children and the elderly in Surulere. I salute this rare breed of a people’s servant, and can only imagine, if he is given the opportunity to govern Lagos State. The transformation would be remarkable. Gbaja is a phenomenon and I honestly hope the number 1 man will see the qualities we see, and oblige us the gift of this Honourable son of Lagos at the helm of affairs of Lagos State.
I look forward to that day and would surely be his number one cheerleader. I am fervently praying.
AB Adesida
1SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
-
Lagos moves to phase danfo into franchise bus system
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The Lagos State Government, the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to transition danfo operators into a regulated public transport system under the state’s Bus Industry Transition Programme (BITP). The development was disclosed in a…
-
‘I’m embarrassed by timing of EFCC action on Osun govt account – Tinubu
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas President Bola Tinubu has said he finds the timing of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s action on Osun state bank account embarrassing. According to President Tinubu, he was yet to be fully apprised of the facts that informed EFCC’s action, but “I feel compelled to intervene”. In a statement on…
-
State Police: We’ve studied India, America, Pakistan’s models – IGP Disu
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Olatunji Disu, has disclosed that the committee that developed the framework for the proposed state police system studied India, the United States of America and Pakistan’s models before submitting its recommendations. Also, IGP Disu urged police personnel to take an active role in shaping the national conversation…
