Desecration Of Isalegangan Square On Lagos Island
Fondly called ONALA during my childhood days, this popular square used to be a vibrant playground for infants and teenagers like some of us. A central point where Islanders used to congregate for sports and musical activities. We formed football clubs and played "felele"- a lightweight football so susceptible to the whims of the wind that it had an exciting way of veering from its projected trajectory and making a complete mess of goalkeepers!
The Ajiweres, being musicians who entertained during the wakeup hours of the Ramadan also gathered on this spot.....this being the origin of Fuji Music.....the likes of the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister cutting their teeth at Onala!
So my inquisitive mind was called to instant alert when I observed heavy construction going on in the place. I moved closer.....gingerly......towards the Job Board, raised up my massive head to read.....then stopped short! CONSTRUCTION OF 11-FLOOR BLOCK OF LUXURY APARTMENTS. What! Luxury apartments? A high-rise block of LUXURY apartments in the epicentre of a slum? And the naked use of the word luxury! What temerity! Could a government be so lacking in basic common sense that it could not even build and name this building as a Block Of Office Suites?
I would not have been so enraged if the building had been erected for the latter purpose. Afterall, Lagos Island is a major commercial centre. But eliminate parks and playgrounds for BLOCKS OF LUXURY APARTMENTS? In the midst of such momentous poverty as we have in our clime? With projects as this plus other bogus ones like the Eko Atlantic Project.....where the government of Lagos State of Nigeria extorts taxes that poverty-pulverised citizens can ill-afford for senseless white-elephant projects, the mindset of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola is as clear as the day!
This guy has an untainted contempt for the poor! PRODUCTS of the poverty they gleefully create.....and enthusiastically perpetuate! Solutions or alternatives proffered? Blocks of low cost housing units for the poor. An upgrade of the playgroung as a mini stadium. The youth would be kept energized, healthy and busy. Talents would be discovered and nurtured. Youths would be diverted away from crime. Or would our daft government rather we generated more criminals that would face the Jailors And the Hangmen? Or a block of office suites.....at the worst....
Dr Tosin Akindele Is A Lagos-Based Medical Practitioner And Social Critic