• Ladaba monarch seeks Sanwo-Olu’s help, marks first anniversary as Oba
The traditional ruler of Ladaba Town in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Oba Nureni Sikiru Odedina Alugbin, Ilufemiloye, has appealed to Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo- Olu, to help fix the road that leads to his town as well as 60 other communities in the area.
Oba Alugbin said such appeal was important for him to make as the traditional ruler of the town, even as he celebrates his first anniversary on the throne of his forebears.
The monarch’s request was made during his interaction with reporters as part of activities marking his first anniversary as Oniladaba of Ladaba Kingdom.
Oba Alugbin expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to celebrate the anniversary.
Expressing his appreciation to chiefs of the community, the people of Ladaba, traditional rulers in Epe and well-wishers for the support given to him since he assumed the throne, the monarch restated the need for the state government to construct the road that leads to Ladaba Town.
He expressed concern at the plights of residents of the town, especially during the rainy season. He expressed optimism that the community had the potential to become one of the most developed towns in the area if the road that connects the town is constructed.
Oba Alugbin also expressed worry that the road from Eleran -Igbe to Toomu, Oko Abe, Ipesun, Gadangba, to other developing communities in the area was in such a deplorable condition.
He noted that residents of the town and adjoining communities usually find it difficult to ply the road at all times, adding that the situation becomes much worse during the rainy season.
Hear the monarch: “Residents now find it very difficult to travel along that stretch of the road because it is pure hell travelling along the road. We are always subjected to prolonged pain trying to move in and out of the community.
“It is horrible plying the road that leads to my town. This has often affected the development of many of the communities in the area.
“The road from Eleran -Igbe to Ladaba,Toomu to Oke Abe, Ipesun, Gadangba and its environs are not motorable. That has affected motorists and travellers from accessing the road.
“As I celebrate my first anniversary as the royal father of Ladaba Town, I appeal to our amiable governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for help. He should please expedite action on the pending proposal on his table that is tied to the construction of this road.
“My people are suffering as a result of the bad road. They can only access the road via motorbikes. And okada riders also charge exorbitant fees from Eleran-Igbe to other towns.”
Also speaking, Agbaakin of Ladaba Town, Chief Abdul Bareehu Odofin Rufai said the road remains the only facility that connects other communities in the area, describing it as the most important road in the area.
“It is horrible plying the road leading to our town. Some of the projects proposed to be sited here have been abandoned because of the bad road. And this has affected the development of many of the communities in the area.
“During the rainy season, the road is always impassable. We often spend hours travelling along the road and it takes God’s grace for residents to reach their destination in peace.
Iyalode of Ladaba Town, Chief Mrs Awawu Moruf Gamugasha, said residents of the town are facing difficulty travelling to and from the area. In her words, the best that the state government could do for the people is to construct the only road that serves these communities.
“Wherever there are good roads, people enjoy quality life and development is complete. On behalf of my people and the good people of Lagos State, I appeal to the governor to do this for us as soon as possible.”
A resident of the town, Mr. Fatai Adisa who works in Ajah area of the state, said the pain and agony experienced daily by the people that travel along the road is enough to send the travellers to their early graves.
“Many people are deserting these communities because of the daily trauma they face plying this road. Farmers and traders are deserting the area because of the situation of the road.
“I have my house here, and this is what I face every day. It is even worse during the rainy season and okada riders charge us as much as N3000 from Eleran Igbe junction to this town.
“We are appealing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to assist us by fixing this road. A road that serves about 60 developing communities is key to the growth and development of this area,” he stated.
Oba Alugbin explained also that the proposal for the construction of the road is on the table of the governor. He urged Hon. Tobun, the lawmaker representing Epe Constituency 1 at the state House of Assembly, to assist in ensuring that the road is fixed so that residents of the communities in the axis can breathe a sigh of relief.
“We need a good road that will aid good and quality education. We need power. We are also appealing to the governor to build the bridge from Abijo to Oko-Abe, as well as the road from Eleran-Igbe to Ito-Omu. There are many communities in Epe and Ibeju-Lekki Local Governments.
“The only primary school in Ladaba Town was established in 1940. But to the glory of God, the school started operation last year when I became the Oba.
“We have started the construction of the Health Centre and Town Hall and within the last one year, I have set the ball of development of the town rolling.
“Recently, I bought a Hummer bus for the Ladaba Council of Obas to aid their movement. There are other projects that we are working on for the development of the town,” he said.