'Do not wait for the government to do everything for you,' a man has illustrated with his life story how he became a millionaire from the ghettos of Lagos as he now live in his own mansion and also have at least 100 staff. A must read indeed!
There is the popular saying that goes thus “Don’t wait for what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country”.
One of such people who has taken the saying to heart and has contributed immensely to the lives of the general populace in today’s Nigeria is Chief Dr. Joseph Oladipo Omojolowo, the creator of the wooden bridge in the Igando axis, the bridge which happens to link both Igando and the Ipaja-Ayobo area in Lagos.
During the construction of the bridge
Since the government has not provided adequate road networks for the people who lives in this area, Chief Joseph Omojolowo who resides in Igando, Lagos Nigeria and an indigene of Ondo state saw the need to construct a wooden bridge that would link two major towns together.
The Road Link bridge was launched in 2003 as a footbridge and later upgraded to vehicle conveying overpass is considered a fast link to Ogun State (Otta, Sango and so on), saving motorist the stress of Lagos traffic and money.
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The bridge when finally completed
The bridge which is fondly referred to as 'Pako Bridge' is 365 meters long and 23 feet wide with the ability to hold about 3.5 tons of load with a tollgate which opens at 5am and closes at 11:30pm everyday.
Visiting the bridge one would notice both human and vehicular activities in full operation, though a meager charge is being collected as toll fees for its maintenance.
Motorists and road users plying the pako bridge
Road Link management stressed that there has been no mishaps on the bridge since it was opened and that the bridge undergo periodic safely check. “The safety of vehicles and pedestrians using our bridge on a daily basis is our uttermost priority.” The management added.
Speaking to a school boy walking home on the bridge from Igando to Ayobo, Emmanuel said: "It would not have been possible to attend school in Igando without the bridge. It takes me less than 10 minutes to walk across the bridge to school every morning. The bridge is helping us a lot."
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Toll gate where the management of the bridge collect fees from road users
Mr Omojolowo who is the initiator of the Road Link Bridge has contributed his own quota to the building and development of the country and residents of the area cannot stop singing his praises.
He is the Chairman and Chief Executive of Road Link Ventures Limited and an employer of labor with over 100 staff on its payroll.
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(Right) Chief Joseph pictured in his bridge, (Right) Mansion built from money he realized after commercializing the bridge
He has been awarded an array of awards locally and internationally, including one from the University of California for his innovative idea and was recently given the title of 'Aare Mayedero of Igando land' for contributing positively to the growth and success of his community and the nation at large.
Hardwork eventually paid off
Credits: Yinka Adeniyi / Sync Media House
