Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday urged Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde not to be discouraged by criticisms of his administration, saying those who abuse leaders today often return to praise them later.
Obasanjo made the remarks while joining Makinde to inaugurate the new Ibadan Central Bus Terminal at Iwo Road, a facility comprising two mega bus stations with waiting halls, ticket spaces, eateries, public conveniences, open vehicular parking, a power-generating house, water reservoir, elevators, and escalators.
Describing Makinde as an Omoluabi, Obasanjo advised him to remain focused on ongoing developmental efforts, asserting, “Those abusing you today would praise you tomorrow. I was also abused too, and they have come back today to praise me. That is how it is.”
He praised the governor for making Ibadan livable through people-centered projects and noted that the construction of the terminals at Ojoo, Challenge, and Iwo Road would ease movement for residents. Obasanjo said the developments in Ibadan benefit the wider South-West region.
He added, “Makinde, you have done so well. You are making Ibadan livable and you have been trying to make everyone living in Ibadan and the state comfortable. Ibadan, in population, is the third largest city in Nigeria but in land area, it is the largest.
So, to move from point A to B in Ibadan is longer than moving from point A to B in the other two cities said to be larger than Ibadan in population—Lagos and Kano. If you are going to make it convenient for people to live and trade in Ibadan, there must be availability of transportation, and that is what these bus terminals are meant for.”
Obasanjo also commended Makinde personally, saying, “You invited me three days ago to this event; I didn’t hesitate. I came here because you are an Omoluabi. Before anyone can invite me to an event three days to the time, he must be someone I hold in high esteem. For you, if you call me a day to the event, I will come. You resemble me in a lot of ways. When people tell me Makinde is doing this infrastructure and all that, I always tell them why won’t he do it? He is an engineer; a professional engineer, who knows how to fix things. But you have added another feather to the cap, you are now also into political engineering.”
He urged residents and Nigerians who would use the facility to ensure it is well maintained.
Earlier, Governor Makinde said his administration had built four modern bus terminals, including Challenge, Ojoo, New Ife Road, and Iwo Road, to ease city transportation challenges. He described the completion of the Ibadan Central Bus Terminal as a demonstration of his government’s commitment to modernising the state.
Makinde said, “Unlike my critics, who love to blow their trumpets, I have been quietly executing development projects in the state. The dual carriageway from Iwo Road to Adegbayi has eased transportation pressure on the axis, and we have applied to the Federal Government to extend the project to the state boundary at Asejire.”
He added, “With this commissioning, we have completed all four modern terminals in Ibadan. The next administration would do for our other cities, including Ogbomoso, Saki, Iseyin, Ibarapa, and Oyo. Why did I talk about the next administration? I only have 18 months to go. We projected a 12-month completion for the project, but as you all know, a global pandemic, supply disruptions, and other realities slowed us down. Today, the cycle is basically done, and it is a celebration of our determination. What we are witnessing today is proof that promises made can indeed become promises kept.”
