Dr. Kunle Olajide
By John Dike, Osogbo
Elderstatesman and the Aare of Efon Kingdom in Ekiti State, Dr. Kunle Olajide, has called on the Federal and Ekiti State Governments to urgently rehabilitate all federal roads across the state.
The neglect of the federal roads passing through state, he lamented, poses risks to human movement, economic productivity, and public safety.
He made the call following a recent press conference by the Management of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), where concern over the deteriorating Ado–Ijan Road — the main access route to the university, the Ekiti Cargo Airport, and surrounding communities, was the topical subject.
Describing the situation as “deeply disturbing,” Olajide noted that ABUAD, the largest private sector employer in the state and an internationally recognized institution, risks becoming inaccessible despite its immense contribution to academic excellence, health care, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and innovation in Nigeria.
“It would be a grave tragedy of monumental proportions if such a common jewel of immense value becomes inaccessible,” he warned.
Although he acknowledged that the Federal Government awarded a contract for the road’s reconstruction last year and the contractor has returned to site, he expressed concern over the slow pace of work, especially with the onset of heavy rains.
He therefore called for immediate remedial intervention by the Ekiti State Government in collaboration with the Federal Controller of Works in the state.
Olajide also highlighted the widespread infrastructural decay on several other federal roads in the state, citing specific sections like the:
Ijan–Omuo Road near Iluomoba;
Odo-Ayedun–Ayebode section of Ifaki–Omuo Road; the collapsing Igede–Aramoko, and Aramoko–Itawure roads;and Ekiti section of the Ikere–Akure Road, which he alleged is being sidelined in favour of the Ondo end.
He lamented that poor road conditions have forced commuters to use longer, riskier routes, and have made public transportation more difficult and expensive.
“After nearly three decades of our independence, it is disheartening to find many Ekiti communities still grappling with roads that are hazardous and economically disabling,” he said.
He urged Ekiti’s representatives in the National Assembly to intensify advocacy for federal intervention and emphasized the need for a more strategic and sustainable road maintenance system at the state level, including prompt repair of bad spots and strict quality control.
Looking beyond immediate repairs, he proposed that the blueprint prepared before the creation of Ekiti State in 1996 be revisited in a summit of Ekiti elders and traditional rulers.
Olajide called on Chief Oladeji Fasuan, the Jagunmolu of Ado-Ekiti and leader of the state creation movement, to reconvene a non-partisan assembly of elders to re-evaluate development plans and support successive governments in achieving a more prosperous Ekiti.
“It is only with unity of purpose and commitment to visionary development that Ekiti State can be transformed into the land of progress, prosperity, and dignity that we all desire,” he said.
However, he commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin-Ekiti.
He described this as a “laudable initiative” and a signal of the President’s commitment to youth development and educational growth.
He proposed that Ekiti elders, led by Chief Fasuan, pay a courtesy visit to President Tinubu to further engage him on pressing infrastructural needs and request greater federal presence in the state.
