Nigerian Tribune 16 Friday, 4 March,
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.2011
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.l~omen in a unform with the inscription," Safety Aid Traffic Managers." Curious about their presence, I walked up to one of them to find out the purpose of the new agency. There, he explained to me that they were employees of the Oyo State government and that their duty is to assist in controlling traffic within Ibadan municipality alone. But one thing I observed while performing their duties was the arrest, especially of traffic violators, who happened to operate on streets already marked "one-way" had their vehicles seized. Still inquisitive about their roles or duties, considering the punishment meted to violators, the gentleman calmly told me that no member of the Agency as far as he knew had been taking bribe from offenders. He maintained that the seizure of violators' vehicles, was a temporary measure intended to instill discipline
It will be recalled that following a traffic change over from left to right hand drive in Nigeria, on April 2, 1972 and long before the advent of the new arrangement, certain streetsinIbadanhadbeen designated as one-way traffic. Among them is the one from Oke-Foko to Agbeni, Ibadan Gegelose / Isale Osi by-pass.The One from Femi Johnson Broking House via the intersection of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria to Aje House. Another one is from Onireke to Dugbe, Joe Allen to old General Post Office via Ekotedo and other parts of the city. When I observed that vehicle operators were violating the order, prohibiting operating on those streets with impunity, I wrote in the Nigerian Tribune in the early 80s, stressing the need to designate these streets for recognition purposes, but nothing was done about it. Probably this is why traffic violation is on the increase in Ibadan. Unless something rea -
Rebirth of Ogori values
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current socio-eco nomic and political quagmire in Ogori land calls for concern. We should, therefore, seriously reflect On our past, present and equally beam searchlight into the future. Because a chunk of the populace today is not happy with the tum around of events in Ogori land politicajly. Therefore, we should not allow "bread and butter" to erode the power of our clear vision vis-a-vis our renowned erudition. Politically,as Ogorians, we must take our destiny in our hands. Whether anybody likes itornot the Ogori people are the grandmasters of political brinkmanship in the land today. In the light of this, as elections draw near, we must vote for credible candidates to steer development in our land ..We must strive to ensure reconciliation by per- . suading all stakeholders to come together and disregard selfish politicians seeking to 4'xploit and divide us along lines of pretty sentiment We should insist on electing people, not only with req:- Uisite knowledge, but also proven track record of performance, those ready with
manifestoes that would meet the yearning and aspiration of the people. Remember what the American philosopher, Walter Benjamin said, '''if the enemy wins not even the dead are safe." As such, we must show considerable circumspection during elections. Leaders of thought from OgoriinKogiStateimdOgori Descendants Union in particular, should COnvene a meetingofcommitteeofelders, intellectuals, and youth leaders, to fashion out a policy upon which service delivery will be based in Ogori land for the sake of posterity. If we uphold the tenets of clear vision, traducers will not stand between us. We must ensure that peace reigns in our land, which is the bedrock upon which any hallmark and development can be attained. As we all know, Ogori is strategic, no society, no matter how knowledgeable, ever suoceeds in an atmosphere of mistrust or suspicion. In this regard, we must always embrace peace for which we are known.
-Sunday Fatoye, Training Industrial Fund (ITF), Akure.
tropohs IS done with maximum urgency, it will be unfair to punish violators because offences are checked, not by the severity, but by certainty. If government can erect sign posts with various inscriptuions such as " one-way, no road, school children crossing, hospital, slow down," etc, conspicuously in strategic places, there will be no excuse for anyone to violate the order. The road signs can also be used as direction for first-time visitors who are unfamiliar with Ibadan city and the nimietics of vehicle operators will become a thing of the past. Government should please, ensure that the activities of road side traders, mostly women, who have persistently made display, hawking and selling of wares a habit are put in check to remove inconveniencesbeing experienced by vehicle operators. - 0 1 a - 0 1 ani y i
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DlmeJl Bankole, alleged that a whopping sum of N900 billion was being stolen annually by the Federal Civil Servants. He made this remark when delivering a lecture at Bayero University, Kano. The Nigerian civil
know from which source Bankole got his information and how many of the civil servants have been apprehended because his allegation is derogatory. With the 'staggering sum of money, the
know better and should, please, enlighten the public and bring the offending personnel concerned to book, if found to be true.
-J. A. Oridota, Abesan, Ipaja, Lagos.
Agric loans not disbursed to farmers in Kogi State
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HE muchpublicised and orchestrated agric loans said to have been disbursed to farmers have not been given to them in Kogi State. It is well over six months nOW that the state government, through the Commissioner for Agriculture went On air to annOunce that N1 billion loans had
been disbursed to it will be farmers. This is, advantageous if the despite the fact that, it loans are released is well over a year that now, so that c~aring the process could start, before the commenced. rains. It is unfortunate This is rather . that the efforts of the disturbing and Central Bank of frustrating to the Nigeria are not innocent farmers who complemented by the could have utilised state government. the loans for the -Adigun Abodarin production of food Isanlu Yagba East crops for the masses. LGA, Another season for Kogi State. clearing is around and
lelfers to the editor should be sent to lelfers@Iribune.com.ng or by sms 10 08055001746.11 must be aC(ompanied by the full names and address of the writet
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