Afenifere Urges Inclusion of Ondo in Lagos-Calabar Highway

Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, has expressed alarm regarding the exclusion of Ondo State’s coastal communities from the realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, signed by Secretary-General Sola Ebiseni, the group warned that this exclusion could undermine historical fairness and limit economic opportunities for the region.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, originally envisioned to connect coastal regions, has been altered in a way that may prioritize private real estate interests along the Lagos coastline. Ebiseni emphasized the historical significance of the highway concept dating back to around 1900 when the Ilaje coastal territory was part of the Lagos Colony.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure the highway extends through Ondo State’s coastal communities, linking it to Warri and other states, to unlock economic potential and promote balanced development across the region.