Over the weekend, I noticed as I moved within the town, sets of flags attached to poles of streetlights and banners on sidewalks. Mr President himself would be visiting Lagos, and though people were anticipating the visit, they would have to care about how this would impact traffic on the days of the visit.
President Muhammadu Buhari was scheduled for a 2-day working visit in the bustling city of Lagos, Nigeria from Monday 23rd May to Tuesday 24th May 2016. By the evening of Sunday 22nd May, we learnt from Mr Garba Shehu that Mr President wouldn’t be able to make the trip due to scheduling difficulties but will be represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. If he had made the trip, Mr President would have been the first sitting president to visit Lagos in 15 years.
I must say, I was disappointed when I learnt he wasn’t coming again and I am sure I wasn’t the only one feeling like this, though people have learnt to put on a nonchalant attitude to political matters like this. Driving through the streets of Lagos, one would notice that the Lagos State Government had gone all out in preparation for the president, the streets were lined with posters and billboards of Mr President, welcoming him to Lagos. Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the Lagos State Governor had put in efforts to give Lagos a face-lift.
Well, Mr President who was ably represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo arrived as scheduled and has gone ahead to commission some projects like the newly constructed Ago Palace way in Okota Isolo, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Rescue Unit in Cappa Oshodi and other projects.
I would like to wish Mr President, ably represented by his Vice President an interesting stay in Lagos. Eko o ni baje.