Former President Olusegun Obasanjo advised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Wednesday not to be discouraged by criticisms of his administration, claiming that individuals who abuse leaders today frequently return to appreciate them later.
Obasanjo made the remarks while joining Makinde to inaugurate the new Ibadan Central Bus Terminal on Iwo Road, which includes two mega bus stations, waiting halls, ticket spaces, eateries, public conveniences, open vehicular parking, a power-generating house, a water reservoir, elevators, and escalators.
Obasanjo described Makinde as an Omoluabi and told him to stay focused on current development activities, saying, “Those who abuse you today will praise you tomorrow.” I was likewise abused, and they returned today to praise me. “That is how it is.”
He complimented the governor for making Ibadan more habitable through people-centered projects, noting that the development of terminals on Ojoo, Challenge, and Iwo Road will make it easier for residents to get around. Obasanjo stated that the developments in Ibadan help the entire South-West area.
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, getting from point A to point B in Ibadan takes longer than getting from point A to point B in Lagos and Kano, which are regarded to be larger cities than Ibadan in terms of population size. If you want to make it easier for people to live and trade in Ibadan, transportation must be available, which is what these bus terminals are for.”
Obasanjo also applauded 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 aheadtime, he must be someone I hold in high esteem. For you, if you call me a day before 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 admonished residents and Nigerians who would use the facility to ensure it is well maintained.
Earlier, 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 modernizing 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.”
