A Team of Federal Road Safety Corps Marshalls led by the Zonal Unit Commander, Ijebu-Ode unit, Mr. R. O. Adetoro was on the University campus on Thursday, May 30th, 2019 to train the drivers of the University on road safety measures and the need to maintain discipline anytime they are behind the wheels.
Receiving the team in his office, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde said that the University was very happy that the team chose Olabisi Onabanjo University for its public enlightenment campaign on safety measures that should be observed by the drivers while driving. Prof. Olatunde explained that as a University, “we are proud of the job you are doing and we want to learn from your experience and skills. We also want to have a sound relationship with your organization so that our drivers can benefit from this relationship”.
In his response, the Zonal Commander, Ijebu-Ode Unit, Commander R. O. Adetoro revealed that this would be the second time his team would be giving public enlightenment education to Olabisi Onabanjo University’s drivers. According to him, during their previous visit for public education, the drivers were educated on Safety Driving Tips and Proper Use of Roads. But this time around, he made it known that they were to evaluate the sights and reflex actions of the drivers. To this extent, “an arrangement has been concluded with the staff of St. Mary’s Catholic Eye Hospital in Ago-Iwoye to come and conduct eye test for the drivers”, revealed Commander Adetoro.
He also informed the Vice-Chancellor that his team was impressed from the feedback they were getting from the drivers about the usefulness of the earlier training they had. Thereafter, he informed the Vice-Chancellor that drivers should be allowed a minimum of 15 minutes rest anytime they drive for four hours at a stretch. The Unit Commander also recommended provision of good accommodation for drivers staying over-night rather than sleeping inside their vehicles while on duty. He sought the Vice-Chancellor’s consent to extend the public enlightenment campaign to shuttle drivers plying the mini and main campuses routes.
In his own comment, the Director of Works and Services, Mr. S. T. Williams informed the Vice-Chancellor that Officers of FRSC have been helpful in training the University’s drivers. He commended them for always being there for the University and described their presence and activities within the community as a “safety net valve” for road users. He revealed that the feedback he received from the University’s drivers after the previous training were heartwarming and that this encouraged him to invite the FRSC team to come for this current training. He profusely thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olatunde for gladly approving the training without hesitation.
Giving the closing remarks, the Vice-Chancellor said that it is the policy of the University that the welfare of staff and students were not negotiable. According to him, drivers, being staff, were not excluded from this policy. He declared that they usually get their tour allowances anytime they were on tour and that he would ensure that the idea of having a mandatory 15 minutes rest after a stretch of four hours-drive is implemented. He remarked that he personally didn’t joke with the welfare of his own drivers and security staff. He advised the drivers to always maintain speed limit, especially, when they were within the town and they should also ensure that they respect public officers, traffic wardens and other security agents on the road, especially at road blocks. Thereafter, the Vice-Chancellor gave his approval for the FRSC team to extend the public enlightenment training to Campus shuttle drivers. He thanked the FRSC team for extending their hands of fellowship to the University community.
