Two days ago, I passed through Abeokuta- Ota road on my way to Sango-Ota. At a point, I brought out my phone to take pictures of the road. There are huge craters- not potholes- on expansive portions of the road. I lamented throughout the journey. It was so bad I had to branch at the Palms Mall at Ota to buy pain relievers. My body ached badly.

I wonder how people survive daily in that area with the horrendous traffic caused significantly by bad roads.

Yesterday, I visited Canaanland and met with the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Prof Atayero, the Registrar and another member of the Management Team. Driving through Canaanland, I observed how neat the environment was. The students were well dressed and the guys put on ties. Every person I met either said, ‘You’re welcome’ or ‘God bless you’. I saw Canaan Oil- the filling station within the expansive campus. I saw the shuttles. I’d slept in the University Guest House once and then I’d observed how well maintained it was.

While discussing with the VC, he told me that Covenant University just celebrated its 17th anniversary last Monday. At the moment, it’s ranked Top 400 in the World, Number 1 in Nigeria, Number 1 in West Africa and Number 4 in Africa (based on the latest World Universities rankings). The University’s 2022 aspiration is that it will be Top 10 in the world. Very ambitious but not impossible! At least with what I saw that day. The vision was pasted everywhere- from projector screens to wall papers and roll up banners.

After my meeting with the VC, I drove to the bookshop to see if I could buy a few books. Anytime I get into an environment that challenges me, I usually look out for the books they’re reading in that place. I saw this autobiography ‘On Eagle’s Wings- My First 30-Year Adventure in Ministry ‘ by Bishop David Oyedepo. I bought it as I want to get a deeper insight into the workings of the mind of this amazing man.

As I drove out of the place, the news broke that Bishop Oyedepo has approved the sum of N650m to repair some roads in Ota. This is great news for people who ply those roads.

May God bless Bishop Oyedepo.

• Bayo Adeyinka