A total of 147 structures in Lagos will be affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway service lane.

President Bola Tinubu made this known on Sunday at a stakeholder engagement  and flag-off of repair works on Eko Bridge and  Marine Bridge in Lagos, and the flooded section of Lagos- Ibadan Expressway.

The president said that, of the 147 structures, five would be cut fully and the others minimally.

Tinubu was represented by Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The President noted that Eko Bridge was one of the oldest bridges constructed after Nigeria’s independence, adding that Marine Bridge  provided access to the seaports in Lagos State.

He urged Lagos State Government to remain on a trajectory of irreversible development in every nook and cranny of this state.

”Today, in particular, is a day on which we have had extensive stakeholder engagement. We are truly happy with the turnout,” he said.

Tinubu said that the Federal Government had undertaken extensive renovation works in Lagos State.

“As a government, we must acknowledge and appreciate the efforts that have been made. This is about recognising the real work on ground.”

He thanked the stakeholders, saying they had always turned out to discuss with the government anytime needed.

Tinubu praised the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, for his efforts in road infrastructure development.

“For all of us to enjoy the full benefit of infrastructure, we have to shift a bit, so that it becomes an asset that will outlive all of us.”

He said that the stakeholder engagement was aimed at seeking support of the people toward implementation of the projects.

He gave the assurance that the Federal Government would make compensations where necessary.

“It will be given to you at the right time.

” There are days when we accept criticism for us to do better, but there are days when things have been done and they have been done right, and we need to give recognition and support where it is most deserving.

“It is my honour to flag off all of these projects to the benefit of mankind, to our citizens in Lagos, to the benefit of all our people across the country,” Tinubu said.

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.

Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.

He  made the call  during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.

The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.

The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.

According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.

Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.

He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.

The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State  by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.

He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.

Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.

Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.

He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.

The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.

He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.