Abuja, Nigeria – E don happen! President Bola Tinubu don grant presidential prerogative of mercy to one of Naija’s founding fathers, Herbert Macaulay, plus 174 others wey dey waka for different kontri matter. This kon happen after Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (na im be SAN), bring the recommendations come during the Council of State meeting on Thursday wey happen for State House, Abuja.
Macaulay, wey dem sabi as di ‘father of Nigerian nationalism’, na person wey colonial govment don convict two times for Lagos. For 1913, while im dey do im work as surveyor, dem carry am go court for alleged misappropriation of funds from estate wey im dey manage. Some historians dey argue if that trial really true or na political wahala. (No be small gbege!)
Di presidential pardon wey Tinubu don give na big move to honor di legacy of one of Naija’s earliest freedom fighters and to remind everybody say di government dey serious about national reconciliation and justice. E sure say many people dey ginger for dis matter, but we go see how dem go utilize di chance wey dem get.
Meanwhile, for Lagos State, na now dem fit start eviction for all di squatters wey don turn under Opebi-Mende Bridge to shanty town. Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, don yan say dis thing no go work for dia side, as dem dey use di bridge area do makeshift homes and small business. Wahab talk say na disturbing and unacceptable vibe wey di area don become under di bridge, full of traders and miscreants, no be joke! (As if say dem no fit get proper abode!)
He don instruct security agencies to clear di area sharp-sharp. Wahab talk say, “Di primary duty of any government na to protect lives and property, and dis administration no go fail for dis responsibility.” E come dey vex how such an iconic project wey dey near completion don turn to haven for wahala. People wey dey near Cane Village don even begin set up shanties beneath di bridge, na wah!
Wahab dey vow say Lagos go clear di squatters, and go keep watch make sure say no one go come back. E also don send warning to di automobile mechanics wey dey turn open spaces into workshops near di bridge say make dem pack their cars or dem go see road block for dia life. Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, wey lead dem for inspection, express concern say di whole area fit turn to slum if dem no take action now. (Na so di matter be!)
As di state dey invest heavily for di bridge construction, Daramola talk say dem go work closely with di Ministry of Environment to restore orderliness. Dis na serious matter, and everybody suppose komot eye for di project wey na symbol of progress.
We dey follow up as di communique dey land, but na for now na wetin e be. Make we keep our ears open for any other updates wey go fit land for dis matter!
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