BY ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA
Mention the name “ATIKANKAN,” in Ado Ekiti, the state capital or any part of Ekiti State, what comes to mind is negativity. What comes to mind is activities of the underworld, dingy brothels, dark alleys, filth, dirt, refuse, smokes and stench.
“ATIKANKAN” is also synonymous with juvenile delinquency, petty crimes, big crimes and all manners of criminality. Ubiquitous street urchins reeking of alcohol and smell of Indian hemp and other hard drugs smoked, snuffed and hawked openly are regular sights.
It can be described as the biggest slum or the most notorious ghetto in Ado Ekiti where the bad, the ugly and the most unsavoury things outshine few positive things happening there on daily basis. Many regard Atikankan as a hideout and hangout for people referred to as “hard guys.”
A popular question was asked in the Bible in John Chapter 1, Verse 46. The question was asked by Nathanael and the question was directed to Philip. Nathanael asked, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael found it difficult to believe that an unimportant community like Nazareth could produce an eminent personality like our Lord Jesus Christ.
Nazareth was a small community, it was remote, rustic, far-flung, lowly and very insignificant. It had residents who were lower in degree and esteem and relatively contemptible. But it was from there that the Saviour and Messiah, Jesus Christ, originated.
Atikankan finds itself in the same shoe with Nazareth where many people believe nothing good can from but the narrative is changing with a bold step being taken by a determined and visionary leader, Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
Like Nazareth, many people in Ekiti State have been asking questions like, “Can any good thing come out of Atikankan?” “When will Atikankan be rid of crimes and criminality?” “Who is that Governor that will rescue Atikankan from the grip of those holding it hostage?” “Who will turn the ugly stories of Atikankan to beautiful stories?” “When will people pass through Atikankan and conduct their businesses there without the fear of being mugged, robbed or attacked?”, among other questions.
Several attempts had been made in the past to sanitize Atikankan by successive administrations in Ekiti State but such attempts failed because of a combination of lack of political will, fear of losing future elections, deeply entrenched interests, lack of readiness to pay huge compensation and possible backlash from the restive youths who may not be ready to be displaced from their hideouts.
At the time of writing this piece, the bulldozers are still at work in Atikankan. The bulldozers are still roaring and bringing down old, derelict and dilapidated structures to give way to modern buildings and other state-of-the-art facilities to bring Governor Oyebanji’s dream of turning the place to a Central Business District (CBD) a reality.
But Governor Oyebanji, divinely endowed with Solomonic wisdom, appears to have found a solution to the long-running Atikankan conundrum. He adopted a carrot and stick approach to resolve the jigsaw. The Governor made visits to the place, humbly cultivated the support of the people, carried them along and commenced a gradual physical development of the neighbourhood which had prepared the minds of the residents for the inevitable overhaul.
First, the monthly environmental sanitation, has Atikankan as a major focal point to continuously clear the filth and free up the drains. Also, a convenient parking space was carved out for vehicle owners to give them opportunities of enjoying shopping in the area. The traditional and cultural assets of the place were preserved.
A walk or drive through Atikankan in the night revealed a renewed nightlife that has been spiced with the needed illumination. Solar-powered streetlights were installed to boost nightlife, provide more visibility to gradually reduce crime and also extend business hours and this gesture is a boost to market men and women within that axis.
The only roundabout in Atikankan has been transformed with the branding of the structure by a toothpaste manufacturing company in conjunction with Ekiti State Signage and Advertising Agency (EKSAA).
All these did not happen overnight but they are products of a process that began in the Executive Council Chambers before manifesting on the streets. At the State Executive Council meeting held on 16th April, 2024, the Oyebanji Administration approved the payment of compensation for the Atikankan/Igbehin Urban Renewal Project.
The approval covers 130 claimants for permanent structures and 21 for temporary structures. The gesture was in line with the urban renewal vision to transform Ado Ekiti into a more economically viable state capital.
The affected Atikankan area, behind the Akodi Sasere, falls within the CBD of Ado Ekiti, which had degenerated into a complex urban shanty slum that is associated with serious urban, physical, social and environmental problems that require total clearance as the urban renewal resolution option for the area.
The Oyebanji Administration had earlier set up a committee under the chairmanship of the Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Akintunde Oyebode, on the valuation and compensation to be paid to the claimants following a reconnaissance survey of the area conducted by the Office of the Surveyor General and Bureau of Land Services.
On 20th May, 2024, the property owners got their compensation to the tune of N300 million and it was the payment of the compensation five months before the demolition of shanties that gave the workmen a peaceful atmosphere to conduct the exercise.
Speaking during the distribution of the cheques, the Governor said the ongoing transformation of Atikankan was aimed at providing more economic opportunities for the people and also boost the standard of living of residents.
Governor Oyebanji said: “One of the cardinal objectives of my administration is ‘the transformation of urban slums into befitting central hubs that will boost economic opportunities.’ This spurred the acquisition of Atikankan/Igbehin area.
“The proposed project will be one of the major trading hubs in the state where government, private individuals, business and corporate organizations can buy and sell goods and services in a decent and more coordinated manner.
“The project will have impact and improve the living standards of the people as it is capable of generating employments for the youths.”
At long last, the transformation of Atikankan has started and this will bring relief to the people. The negative memories of the past will be banished and a new face of positivity in the areas of investment, commerce, beautiful scenery and a conducive atmosphere will loom large.
It is good and fulfilling to see that something good is coming out of Atikankan through the vision, determination and efforts of Governor Oyebanji.
Ogunmola is Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media (Print Media)