Angry Hausa youth in Sabo community, Ibadan, on Monday, protested against the plan by some elders in the community to build shops on the access road leading to the Sabo Community Health Centre within the metropolis.
The angry youth, describing the plan to build the shops in the area as unacceptable, warned those behind the plan to back out or face the consequences.
Those on the rally gathered in front of the hospital singing protest songs in Hausa Language.
They alleged that some members of the community planned to build shops in the area for personal gain.
On some of the placards are inscriptions such as: We don’t want more shops in this place, we want more health centres; Unemployment is our problem, we do not need your sham project; Governor Makinde, you are the man, you are our own, you are our last hope.
Those who represented the protesters are Alhaji Malami Ahmed, leader of the youth; Musa Sanni and Huzaifa Ibrahim.
Sanni, who spoke on behalf of the group, said, “What happens is that the shop that they want to build in our area are not needed. How can they think of blocking the only access road to the hospital?
“It is the only road in time of emergencies such as when there are medical issues or fire outbreak. It is the only way that leads to the hospital. Now, they say that they want to build shops on it; why? If they want to do such a project they can go to other places. We can’t believe them anymore.”
However, the Councillor representing the Sabo community in Irepodun Local Council Development Area, Ibrahim Faira, said the youth embarked on the protest due to misinformation.
Faira said, “How on earth can anyone rationalise an allegation such as this? How can anybody or group of people build shops on the road? Where on earth is such a practice allowed? They should simply ask questions.
“This is the true picture; the World Health Organisation is collaborating with the Irepodun Local Council Development Authority to update the health facility in Sabo community.
“There is need to build a standard road with proper setback. Because there are makeshift shops already in the area, there is the plan to build modern shops with appropriate setback from the road. That is it.
“Sadly, some elements who are benefiting from the present arrangement are opposed to the idea, so they went ahead to brainwash some people. That is not going to work.”
