There is no place like Lagos — by Simbo Olorunfemi

It’s heartwarming that the Lagos State Government has delivered on the Opebi-Mende link Bridge.

When Governor Sanwo-Olu promised to make this happen a few years back, it might have appeared, to some, as one promise not meant to be delivered.

But for those who have keenly followed development in Lagos in the last 30 years, his word was one to take to the bank. While there might be a delay on account of unforeseen circumstances, eventually it will be done.

Such was it with the BRT scheme. Such was it with the rail project. Such has been it with a long list of infrastructure projects.

Some might argue that these projects are not worth the ‘hype’. Some have indeed said that projects delivered seated side by side with revenue don’t measure up. One can’t fault their prerogative to come to make such conclusions.

As a former resident who has now become a not-so-frequent visitor to Lagos, everytime I come in, I am appreciative of the work done, and progress being made.

I found myself in the Yaba-Oyingbo axis the other time, and struggled to make my way around, not knowing which overhead bridge leads where.

Ikeja looks so different now, with the bridge from the Airport road descending onto its heart at Obafemi Awolowo way.

Ikeja has dramatically transformed over the years, even as it got choked on all points. The transformation of the Medical road-Otigba-Kodeso axis into a full-blown ‘Computer Village’ before our very eyes is a different story.

Looks like it was only yesterday that the ‘first’ bridge, that linking Kodeso to Oba Akran was being built. That must have been while Governor Akhigbe was in office.

As at the early 90s, the buses didn’t consider Adeniyi Jones and Allen avenue a ‘viable’ route. Kabukabus at the AfariOgun junction of Obafemi Awolowo way serviced Adeniyi Jones up to Vulcaniser and Universal.

Buses taking off from the Olowu end of Toyin Street took passengers as far Opebi junction. There was no link Bridge to Oregon Road. Opebi was a village. Life ended at the old Coliseum. That was before Mobolaji Anthony eventually firmed up the handshake with Opebi via Sheraton.

See Opebi sitting pretty today as one prime location. Of course that has been the case for a while now. First, it was the sedentary Allen avenue losing its peace as a residential area that we used to stroll through to a beehive of commercial activities. It was once known as Cocaine avenue.

Ikeja is a story of many parts. Struggling to remain true to what it once was, even though you have to go into the back streets off Allen, off Awolowo way to see that. Awolowo way is all commercial now.

GRA has lost the exclusive vibe of old. Wish we planned and handled things differently. The trees are largely gone. The green areas all built up. Hotels, hotels, hotels. Apartments here and there in place of the little building seated in the massive space surrounded by trees, as we used to have.

I miss the old Ikeja. Here I am, thousands of miles from Lagos, mentally driving through Ikeja. The old Kingsway, which later became Onyx plaza. Driving through Oba Akinjobi, connecting Medical Road (Simbiat Abiola way) onto Anifowose, linking Oba Akran, on to Adeniyi Jones, linking Agidingbi, flying through Cadbury-Daily Times- LTV8, linking Oregon Road, passing through Opebi link road, to connect through Toyin Street onto Mobolaji Back Anthony way enroute the Airport.

Ikeja is surely overwhelmed. So much in such little space. When it’s on lockdown, it’s on lockdown.

It must be a tough one for the Government and the planners to keep finding a way for outlets from the capital city to make it easier for people to connect and make their way out.

That is the essence of the Opebi-Mende link road, which I think I once heard should eventually directly link up with the 3rd Mainland Bridge in the future.

So much being done, lots to do. Oba Akran does need a resurfacing. Some parts of GRA need urgent facelift.

There is no doubt whatsoever that Lagos has been blessed with a succession of Governors who are mindful of the challenge to keep the enormous machine, which Lagos has become, roaring.

Each one comes to up the ante, adding building blocks here and there to improve on what has been done.

The Opebi-Mende link Bridge is an impressive addition to the infrastructure portfolio of Lagos State to make life better for Lagosians.

I look forward to a ride on the bridge soon.

Congratulations to Governor Sanwo-Olu and the people of Lagos.

There is no place like Lagos.