Concerns of Nigerians at home and abroad By Joseph Lowojoba
Published
April 14th, 2008
As a Nigerian citizen living in the US, I have
some things to contribute to improve the country's social
menace on our federal high way road of the country. For
example, Lagos -- Ibadan road, for so many years, became
highly immotorable because of the various churches along
that road. Whenever churches hold their so called
general conventions, all the cars and other road users
are always faced with untold traffic halt .The federal
government under the department of transportation should
do something about this problem. The followings are my
recommendations: None of the churches should hold
general meetings again along this road. Instead, general
meetings could take place at their branches. This is a
better solution than causing huge problems for vehicles
and motorists.
Let us remember, this is the only road that links to all
of the states in Nigeria. Another possible solution is
for the churches to find other places to hold their
general meetings that will not interfere with roads. The
Lagos- Ibadan road, if every Nigerian will agree with
me, is the gate way for the country. It is unbelievable
that it would take seven hours to travel from Lagos to
Ibadan, a journey which is suppose to be under two
hours. Therefore, I urge the overseer of all the
concerned churches along this road to look into this
problem and work with the government to find a solution.
By the way, this problem is one factor that has led to
the total collapse of tourism and other visitors into
Nigeria. No place in the Holy book says road users
should be punished. I have traveled to many other countries. I
have not seen any country that takes their own citizens
and visitors through this painful ordeal just because of
church conventions along the country's busiest road. In
fact, I least blame the churches, but mostly blamed the
government which failed to enforce building code law in
all residential and commercial properties. Greed and
corruption in part of our leaders elected into the
offices have hindered the growth and development of
Nigeria.
For this reason, Nigeria's progress when compared with
other developing countries is one step forward and two
steps backward. lf all churches along these major roads
could afford to buy hundred acreage of landed properties
and erect mega buildings, parking lots with decks should
be something to have considered very seriously. After
all,
it is not too late for churches to embark on this
project. From what I understand about church, it is a
place to seek the presence of God and ask for
forgiveness of sins. May God Almighty help us, Amen.
Published
April 14th, 2008
