Comrade Lekan Badmus is a Columnist with Oduduwa News, Public Opinion Analyst and Human Rights Crusader.
“.. running splash of rust,
and gold-flung and scattered,
among seven hills like,
broken china in the sun.”
The introductory poem above is crucial to this article. The poem, written by JP Clarke is an avid description of Ibadan. As expatiated by Winnie Ekwere , the poem is a quintet of running verse. The tone of the poem gives off as being off-handedly dramatic especially as the poet begins by citing the name ‘Ibadan’. He seems to criticize the look of the city by his description in the remaining four lines of the poem. Thus:
… running splash of rust and gold is used to describe the rusted zinc roof tops in Ibadan.
… scattered among seven hills alludes to the scattered and unplanned nature of the houses in the hilly city.
…like broken china in the sun paints an image in your mind of disorderliness.
and parts of broken china that are different but from the same piece.
The poem is more a sarcastic description of the town rather than what majority felt it is. Verily, a denotative interpretation of every line of the poem reveals the inner mindset of the erudite poet. Two things readily come to the mind of a stranger at the mention of Ibadan. Thuggery and Filth. As it was then, so it is now. Very filthy.The only period when the city wore a new look was during the era of late governor Ajimobi.
In the past, Gege – Olopa was famously known for indiscriminate dumping of refuse. That attitude earned the area a derogatory appellate of “Gege-Oloorun”. Incidentally, I am from the area; precisely, Ile Alagbaa, just behind Born Photo. Meanwhile, the entire city is not immuned from being referred to “Oloorun”. This article is not intended to denigrate the city but a conscious effort to awaken the consciousness of the indigenes, residents and government. We all have to be responsible and responsive.
It is quite unfortunate that Ibadan has returned to the old stinking city when offensive scent used to pervade the environments. Being the capital of Oyo State, one expects the entire areas to look decent as to depict its status but disgust is the word; when garbage heaps and dirts welcome one into the city. Instantaneously, one is tempted to ask; albeit soliloquisely, whether the government at state and local levels are on sabbatical. What a neglect of responsibility !
I was listening to a program on Agidigbo FM on a Sunday morning ( 19th September, 2021) anchored by the media Czar, Oriyomi Hamzat. A call was put through to Lagelu Local Government Chairman on the issue of refuse and flood in his area of jurisdiction. His response was a testament to the fact that the local governments are financially incapacitated to do anything meaningful. Whereas, issues like this are best solved by the councils.
I sincerely want to salute the courage and objective assessment of the situation by the media guru. He was not economical with the truth when he said that; “the fact that you are running a populist government does not forbid you from ignoring illegality.” This was an apparent response to government somewhat irresponsiveness to the current mess where refuse have littered every nook and cranny. “The late governor Ajimobi did well in the area of environmental hygiene with brute force; that did not prevent people from voting him for second term !.” Oriyomi fumed.
An examination of the menace of refuse and sewage disposal shows that government is her own problem. Those who are circumventing water ways, those erecting shanties and those who have become perpetual dumpers of refuse are not above the law. We do not need to make any further laws for; the existing extant laws are enough to prosecute the perpetrators. What really is the duty of the officials from ministry of environment ? How about the department of Urban Planning? Where are the Sanitary Inspectors? It is obvious that all what the government needs are at her disposal. The only thing lacking is political will.
State government cannot be everywhere. They are not an island. You need to loosen the rope on the neck of the councils so that they could function optimally.
CDAs and Local governments are suppose to do this but the refusal of the state to allow councils’ autonomy is not helping matter. Even, the officials of the ministries that are responsible for sanitation do compromise. Once they are financially induced, they pretend not to see anything. Urban planning department are also culpable. Sabotage everywhere.
In conclusion, the weekly sanitation exercise on every Thursday is a good way to tackle this peculiar mess only if the offenders are made to face the music. Government should also be ready to step on toes. The motor parks and market traders within the city are contributory factors to the dirty environments. All these activities should be banned.
It is laughable and disgusting that the traders and commuters have always ignored government directives on vacation order. What a ridicule ! It takes political will to enforce an order. Prevention is better than cure. Let all us do the right thing to avoid epidemic.
lekanbadmuscolumn@gmail.com.