After CLEMENTINA?

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February 6, 2007

After CLEMENTINA?

Should Clemtina Saduwa die in vain? After reading the piece titled “Rising toll in Lagos killing Fields” by the Guardian Newspaper, I started wondering if the death of Clementina would cause the required change that is needed to make my dear sister smile where she is at the moment. Jesus Christ died conscientiously creating a change in the lives of millions of people all over the world. Would Clementina’s death be meaningless especially to those who neglected their task to provide security to Lagos State? Despite various write-up on danger zones in Lagos, unnecessary parking of lorries and buses creating unpleasant traffic in Lagos, bad roads in Lagos, etc, the authorities have continued to be insensitive to the plight of those they are meant to govern. Olabode Adeola together with some friends of Clementina decided to write the authorities to curb the excesses of these hoodlums. (PLEASE, KINDLY APPEND YOUR NAME IN THE COMMENT BOX TO SUPPORT THIS CAUSE)More...

REQUEST FOR SECURITY ON APONGBON BRIDGE
BACKGROUND
We the undersigned, make this petition as a result of the death of a friend and colleague, who died as a result of an attack by hoodlums on the Apongbon Bridge; a bridge close to a major market that generates billions of naira for Lagos populace. The bridge also connects the Mainland to the Island – the economic nerve centre of Lagos. 

 
 It hurts to loose an intelligent, devoted, lovely wife, mother, daughter and friend to a robbery attack on a road ever busy. She was an epitome of strength, passion and strong will. Clementina Saduwa (nee Vincent-Uvieghara) up until her death was the Product Manager of Ericsson Nigeria and also doubled as the Chairperson of the Women in Engineering, IEEE of Africa, Europe and the Middle East. She was an ambassador of her company and the Nigerian Women.
The above incident is not the first of its kind on Apongbon Bridge. For some, there is a testimony to tell of their escape from the hands of the hoodlums, for other there are scars to remind them of the ill fate, while some never lived to give their own account of their experience. The incident resulting to the death of our friend is one too many on a road that is plied by practically every working Nigerian living in Lagos.

For many that ply that route especially between the hours of 6pm and 8pm, their hearts are in their mouths just hoping and praying to get out off the traffic build-up safely. The questions we need to ask ourselves are these:
  • Should we continue to live in fear on that road as we go home from work, more so live in fear in a state that we call HOME?
  • Should we continue to allow hoodlums to rip us of what we sweat to earn?
  • Should we also continue to be victims of attacks that are basically caused by the bad road?
PETITION
We request for assistance from anyone who has the authority to carry out action to remedy this situation. We implore the Lagos State Government, the Law Makers and Law Enforcement Agents to:
  1. Help repair the bad spots on the bridge, especially at the foot of the bridge either coming from or going to the Island. This will greatly reduce the heavy traffic on the bridge especially during closing hours.
  2. Provide Police security on that bridge at all times. 
  3. Station LASTMA officials on the bridge to deter buses from parking or picking up passengers at the foot of the bridge, this has contributed to the traffic on this route.  We opine that offenders should be fined for their actions. 
  4. Station KAI brigade or any arm designed to dissuade people from marketing their wares so close to the road, causing traffic at the foot of the bridge.
  5. Help put the street lights in order especially in the danger spots in Lagos. (Danger spots: Apongbon bridge, Apongbon, Iyana Ipaja, Oshodi Oke, Anthony, Mile 2, Mile 12, even Law School, Lekki Expressway etc)

 
Thank you for the anticipated action taken in response to the above petition.
Signed,
  1. Adeola Olabode            FGCL Ijanikin ’95 Set
  2. Mojisola  Arowolo                       “
  3. Dipo Akintepede                           “
  4. Emmanuel Aruwa                         “
  5. Clementina Samugana                “
  6. Tola Taiwo                                   “
  7. Gbemisola Esuturie
CC:
DPO lion Building
Area Commander
Commissioner of Police
Inspector General of Police
SSS
House of Assembly
Lagos State Government
House of Rep
Senate
Minister of Police Affairs
Media Houses

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About Dipo Tepede

I am a Project Management coach. I specialize in making delegates pass any Project Management certification at first try. I successfully achieve this fit through practical application of the knowledge and integration of our Project Management eLearning school at www.pmtutor.org. Welcome to my world.....