Senator representing Kogi West District, Sunday Steve Karimi, has applauded President Bola Tinubu on the award of contracts for the rehabilitation of sections of two major roads connecting Kogi State with the neighbouring states of Kwara and Ekiti. The roads in question are the Obajana-Kabba-Isanlu-Egbe-Omu Aran-Ilorin, and the Kabba-Ifaki-Ado Ekiti roads respectively.

The roads were listed among 27 major roads across the country, approved by the Federal Executive Council, (FEC), chaired by President Tinubu, Monday June 29, 2026, as the federal government voted a mammoth N3.9 Trillion for a massive road infrastructure overhaul.

 

Whereas N104 Billion has been earmarked for the “rehabilitation of sections one and two of the Kogi/Kwara road, N24.7 Billion has been set aside for the makeover of the Kogi/Ekiti connecting road.

 

Karimi, who has been at the fore of the advocacy for federal attention for both roads, was speaking during his regular interface with leaders and stakeholders from the seven local government areas in Kogi West, yesterday.

 

In a statement by Toye Ibitoye Senior Legislative Aide to Senator Karimi, he noted that the President has once more demonstrated “uncommon courage, responsiveness and largeness of heart, not only in considering and approving such a historically humongous sum for infrastructural development, but also for remembering hitherto forgotten sections of the country.”

 

According to him, “the Obajana-Kabba-Isanlu-Egbe-Omu Aran-Ilorin road has been serially overlooked by successive governments, despite its overarching importance at the heart of Nigeria’s South West and North Central.

 

“People are wont to say that the road merely connects Ilorin in Kwara State, with Obajana in Kogi State. It is more than that. It actually provides an alternative route for commuters from parts of the South West, notably Osun and Oyo states, to the federal capital and the north of the country.”

 

Karimi who chairs the Senate Committee on Services, noted that “the Kabba-Ifaki-Ado Ekiti road is equally critical, because it links Osun, Kwara and Ekiti states to Kogi State, and Nigeria’s expansive north. It’s been years since the road received committed official attention, the type that the federal government under President Tinubu’s superintendence has activated.” Speaking further, Karimi alluded to the anguish, loss of valuable man hours and trepidation which commuters have faced on both roads under reference, not forgetting impactful damages to automobiles which ply the routes.

 

He thanked Nigerians for keeping faith with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu, which, according to him, is practically rekindling optimism in the minds of Nigerians. Said he: “Mr President has taught Nigerians to trust in government again.

 

“You look at the list of roads which have just been approved and those previously assented to and under prosecution, and you see a President who has the map of Nigeria before him day and night, and who desires to touch every part of the country, despite resource constraints.” Karimi expressed the hope that in the months to come, with the brave and visionary infusion of funds into the provision of road infrastructure, road travel will become a more pleasurable experience for Nigerians.

 

“Insecurity”, Karimi noted, “will be substantially mitigated because motorability of roads will minimise the mischief of marauders who leverage dilapidated infrastructure for their heinous trade.

 

He thanked his constituents in Kogi West for sustaining trust and belief in him, even as he persistently lobbied and canvassed coordinated action on the Obajana-Kabba-Isanlu-Egbe-Omu Aran-Ilorin and Kabba-Ifaki-Ado Ekiti roads. He expressed appreciation to the Minister for Works, David Umahi, whom he described as a “victim of my impromptu and persistent visits and calls, even at unofficial hours, in the service of our people.”

 

Senator Karimi admonished Nigerians to wholly and fully support the reelection of President Tinubu come January 2027. His words: “No Nigerian leader, either under military or democratic governance, has demonstrated the kind of hands-on grasp of Nigeria’s challenges and aspirations, as President Tinubu has done thus far.

 

“The exponential growth of the nation’s economy; the bold economic reforms undertaken by the President; the ascendancy of the stock market and the nation’s foreign reserves which presently stand at a 17-year high; the gradual reclamation of Nigeria’s continental preeminence, bear testimony to Mr President’s uncommon leadership. Reelecting him means consolidation of these gains.”