Nigerian Islamic Cleric Aponle Anobi Amazed by Burlington Lift Bridge in Canada: “Something Like This Is Not Common Where I Come From”

…Renowned singer and cleric captures moment vertical lift bridge rises for passing ship

…Draws comparison to similar infrastructure in Lagos, recalls earlier fascination with “upside down house”

Prominent Nigerian-born Islamic cleric and successful singer, Alhaji Basit Aponle Anobi, was visibly wowed after spotting the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge in Ontario, Canada — a remarkable structure that rises completely to allow ships to pass underneath.

The cleric, who was on his way to Niagara City, captured the moment in a video that has since garnered significant attention across social media platforms.

In the video, Aponle Anobi expressed his amazement at the engineering marvel before him.

“You see this bridge at my front, the bridge goes up because of the ship passing under it. And this particular bridge is the bridge we want to pass through in the Country of Canada. I was on my way to Niagara city, so that was how we met that bridge that day.”

He explained that the bridge lifts entirely to allow vessels to pass through successfully, a feature he described as uncommon in Nigeria.

“The bridge goes up completely for the ship to be able to pass successfully under it. And you know something like this is not common from where I come from.”

A Sacarstic Familiar Concept in Lagos

Despite his amazement, the cleric sacastically acknowledged that Nigeria has similar infrastructure, particularly in Lagos. He drew a comparison to his earlier experience when he spoke about an “upside down house” that reportedly exists in Lagos.

“If we say we have it, as I’m speaking now, we can see someone—you remember the last time I talked about the upside down house. They say we have it in Lagos, and I think we have it in our area in Gege, Foko, Saka, and Oke Ado, Nigeria.“

He added that in those areas, once a motor approaches, the bridge rises and lowers after the ship has passed.

About the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge

The Burlington Canal Lift Bridge, located in Hamilton, Ontario, is a vertical lift bridge built in 1962 . It spans the Burlington Canal and allows vessels to enter and exit Hamilton Harbour into Lake Ontario.

Key facts about the bridge:

• Length: 116 metres (381 feet) 

• Weight: 2,200 tonnes 

• Vertical lift: 110 feet 

• Number of lifts annually: Approximately 6,500 vessels 

• Operating season: March to December when the water is ice-free 

The bridge is controlled from a tower and lifts on demand for commercial vessels while pleasure boaters are accommodated on the half-hour . Since 1830, the site has seen six different moveable bridges .

Aponle Anobi: A Multifaceted Personality

Alhaji Basit Aponle Anobi, also known as Sheikh Abdulbasit Kitibi, is a renowned Islamic cleric and successful singer . He is the son of the late prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello, who passed away in December 2024 at the age of 84 . Aponle Anobi has released numerous albums and continues to be a significant voice in Nigeria’s Islamic music scene.

His recent travels and observations have sparked conversations about infrastructure development and the experiences of Nigerian public figures abroad, highlighting the stark contrasts between developed nations’ engineering feats and what is often deemed uncommon back home.

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Watch the video clip below