THE AVOIDABLE DEATH OF AN AGED WOMAN AT THE FIRST GATE OF FESTAC TOWN ON THURSDAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER 2022
An aged woman whose identity is yet to be known died while waiting to board a bus at the First Gate of Festac Town in the early hours of today, Thursday September 22nd, 2022, Lagos.
People’s Voice Nigeria Online News had earlier reported that the ugly incident was caused by Amuwo-Odofin local government council revenue collectors, according to an eye witness.
In view of this, a non-governmental organization named the Center for Leadership and Creative Entrepreneurs in Africa LTD/GTE has expressed their view to the state government through its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Amb. Kingsley Enwelim Nwanze.
In his press statement, which was e-signed and released to newsmen, it read, “It’s so sad that the sanctity of life appears very meaningless to the elected officials of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Council led by Engr. Valentine Buraimoh.” “Our attention has been drawn to the unfortunate death of a woman, who was waiting to board a bus at the First Gate of Festac Town in the early hours of today, September 22nd, 2022.”
“Our preliminary investigation has revealed that the sad incident which led to the death of this woman was caused by the wickedly orchestrated actions of a group of young men collecting revenue tolls on behalf of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Council.
We were informed that this group of young men have always and routinely forced drivers to part with money when driving through the highways within the jurisdiction of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Council. The route covers Second Rainbow Bus Stop, Apple Junction by Okota Road, Durbar Junction by Mile 2 Estate, First Gate Festac Town, Second Gate Festac Town, and Third Gate Festac Town. These young men forcefully collect tolls from truck drivers, which, in some instances, leads the drivers to maneuver trucks carelessly and end up killing innocent people.
“The same scenario as highlighted above played out this morning, which eventually led to the death of an aged woman at the first gate of Festac Town today. “Our position is that these deaths are obviously avoidable if we had people-focused leadership in the Local Government Council.”
“As a major non-governmental organization operating within the Local Government Area and beyond, we can state without equivocation that the present Chairman has a lot to learn about leadership. How can an unmitigated collection of tolls be a gift for political patronage?
Unfortunately, the same people who elected him suffer the undeserving pains. “
Our expedient prayers are as follows;
1. That Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the Distinguished Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, should expediently set up an ad hoc committee to look into the immediate and remote causes of the accident that led to the death of an aged woman at the first gate of Festac Town on Thursday, September 22nd, 2022.
2. That Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the Distinguished Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly should also expediently set up another ad hoc committee to look into the indiscriminate collections of revenue tolls at all the Twenty (20) Local Government Councils and Thirty Seven (37) Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State.
3. That His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, should expediently use his good office in issuing an Executive Order to stop further collection of unmitigated revenue tolls, particularly politically motivated collections of tolls at Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area and other LGAs and LCDAs in Lagos State.
This will help the present State Government to continue enjoying the goodwill of the people, especially as the 2023 general elections draw closer.
This is our preliminary response to expedite actions that will bring succour to the good people of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area.
Yours in Humanitarian Services,
Amb. Kingsley Enwelim Nwanze,
Founder/CEO,
Center for Leadership and Creative Entrepreneurs in Africa LTD/GTE
0703 966 5862I
