By Wale Ojo-Lanre
Ekiti matter on my mind? Do you want me to be happy? No, I am not happy at all. And I am not.
They are my friends. 24 of them. They arrived Nigeria from Trinidad and Tobago. Not so rugged people. Visited Badagry, spent five days. Spent quite much money there on hotels and bought a lot ofsouvenirs.
They were in Lagos, Love to visit Ekiti State; visit the land of pounded yam. See Ire, where Ogun, the god of iron descended into the earth crust. Ikogosi on their mind; Erina Waterfall, Ipole Iloro on the list, Erio, the new Jerusalem was there; Usi, where the first Catholic Mass was held in 1913; Okutagbokutaleri in Ado, included Igede stream, the source of Osun River; Ero dam, the third largest man-made dam in Nigeria.
But they cannot venture into Ekiti land. The trip from Badagry to Ekiti – the traffic chaos all the route to Ife; Badagry – Mile 2, Lagos – Ibadan, Iwo Road – Ile Ife. Just because they want to visit a great land.
“Don’t you have an Airport in Ekiti?” they asked. “No, we have one in Akure.”
“I mean in Ado Ekiti, the capital city of your state?”
“No, we don’t?” I responded.
They checked the flight routes to Akure The Arik flight is not there!
“Sorry, we cannot make it to your state! Your state is a paragon of tourism. You need an airport, no matter the dimension. It is because of the need. Not for fanciful sake.”
So, Ekiti State, my state was edged out from the dollar rain. They are just one group. And I was thrown into sadness. That my people always allow politics, sentiments and individualism to affect the decision on common interest.
I remember when Chief Segun Oni was the governor of the state. The airport would have been constructed, but the then Minister of Aviation wanted it in his town, which is not geographically suitable for it then. It was meant to promote a certain huge agricultural project, but it was killed by the Kayode Fayemi’s government. But who could have done it if he had secured a second term? And when the presentgovernor brought the idea, which I supported with full strength, despite my political difference with him. For I know it is a good one for Ekiti State; and he will not take it along after his four years. Like the Governor’s House in Oke Ayoba, built by Fayemi.
But we killed it because of politics, personal hatred, perception about the viability and other erroneous reasons. That is how we have killed many programmes, schemes and projects on the alter of personal animosity, political hatred, unreasonable sentiment, sheer opposition, not thinking about the future of Ekiti.
Malaysia is a country of 25 million. It has only 62 airports, servicing special areas of needs. I am not happy, but sad! That with the enormous agricultural potentialities in Ekiti State, with the preponderance of tourism assets, we cannot see the reasons why we should have an airport in Ekiti.
That there is an aiport in Akure makes no meaning to me. Akure may not need the airport. Ondo State has, oil which brings the state fund. So, she doesn’t need it for a purpose. But Ekiti need it for a purpose!
If Governor Fayose’s government has been hamstrung from constructing an airport, I am sure a reasonable and sensible government will do it in the future. I would have done it if I could, but I will support any individual who can do this. Who can and will make me happy.
For Ekiti deserves an airport. No matter what. But it is not for Baba Afe Babalola. And if Are Babalola rose to the rescue, I would be happy. For Ekiti deserves and needs a commodity or cargo airport.
•Ojo-Lanre writes from Ibipeju Oluru Chamber, Upper Ogudu River, Irede Estate, Temidire Street, Usi Ekiti.
