LASDRI Awards 30 Outstanding Drivers For Year 2025

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos

The Lagos State Drivers Institute LASDRI has given Awards of recognition to 30 distinguished drivers who excelled in both oral and practical driving tests organised by the Institute in the course of the year in a bid to encourage safe and responsive driving in the State.

The annual event which is the fourth in the series was themed; ‘From Wheel to Wealth: Driving as a Pathway to Economic Empowerment and Social Impact’, was held on Thursday 13, November at the STO Resource Centre, CBD, Alausa, attracting a large number of drivers from various groups and Associations who came to cheer and encourage their members for the achievements.

In his speech, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation commended LASDRI, for putting such a programme in place, emphasising that it is a testament to the State Government’s commitment towards encouraging and motivating trained professional drivers in the public, private and corporate organizations who have distinguished themselves through the display of high level of professionalism in their driving.

The Commissioner said it is not just about the recognition of drivers but the
acknowledgement of the vital role they play in the socio-economic progress of the State, adding that the driving profession serves as a vital pathway to economic empowerment, offering direct employment opportunities to millions of people worldwide with competitive pay and job stability.

“A strong and virile driving profession is a pre-requisite for broader economic-social development. It supports industrial and agricultural growth by facilitating the movement of raw materials and finished goods to markets, attracting, investment and increasing the value of goods and services. He said.

Mr. Osiyemi asserted that driving is far more than just a logistical activity, it is a catalyst for individual financial independence and a cornerstone for community development and progress, serving as a critical tool for empowering marginalized groups such as women or individuals with lower formal education levels, by offering them direct means to achieve independence.

“For women led driving initiative, it is not only providing transport options but also creating job opportunities for female drivers but helping to breakdown gender barriers in the industry.” He said.

In her welcome address delivered earlier, Mrs. Afusat Tiamiyu, the General Manager of LASDRI said, the programme is designed to honour professional drivers who are a vital but often underappreciated segment of the society, adding that recognising and rewarding these exceptional individuals is more than just a nod of thanks, it is a crucial reminder of the indispensable role they play in keeping the nation moving.

She stressed that the focus of Governor Babajide SanwoOlu administration on transportation is dictated by its importance as a catalyst for national development through the movement of goods and people for commercial, leisure and private needs, while pointing out that human cum vehicular movement is need-determined and destination driven.

Mrs Tiamiyu emphasised that mission of LASDRI goes beyond training to drivers to pass a test, but about fostering a culture of safety that prioritizes the well -being of all road users, saying; “investing in driver’s education, we are not only teaching drivers on how to operate a vehicle, we are instilling in them a sense of responsibility and awareness that extends to every decision they make on road.

Asserting that driver capacity training is a process that enable driver to develop their skills, knowledge and provide them with resources they need to excel in their roles. When drivers are well trained and confident in their abilities, they achieve their objective, manage challenge on the job and contribute to their organization overall goals.

To the stakeholders and captain of Industries present, the LASDRI General Manager said, “taking good care of drivers is important, for variety of reasons, including promoting safety on our roads, improving driver mental health and well-being, reducing costs for businesses, improving customer satisfaction, and demonstrating our respect and appreciation for drivers as human- being.”

She rounded her speech by expressing her sincere appreciation to the dedication and professionalism exhibited by the awardees, saying; ;your commitment to embracing safety measure, and adapting to the evolving transportation dynamics is commendable, today’s awards are a testament to your hard work, exemplifying the excellence we strive to instill through our various programmes at the Lagos state drivers’ institute.”

In his presentation as the Guest Lecturer, Professor Bamidele Badejo who is also the Lagos State professorial endorsement of transport studies at LASU, highlighted the importance of requisite Driver qualifications and responsibilities, while emphasizIng the need for drivers to rightly position themselves, dignifying their occupation to earn commensurate level of societal respect and honour.

Adding that driving is a highly important profession in the transport industry compared to what aircraft pilots, sailors and train engineers do.

Prof. Badejo further pointed out that drivers are in the front line of ensuring the security of communities or their Nation because of their contacts with various elements in the course of commuting passengers and must be in the vanguard of promoting compliance to traffic laws and regulations.

In his submission, Mr. Rotimi Odusola Corporate Relations Director of Guinness Nigeria PLC, said he is very sure that none of the drivers being recognized and receiving award would have been combining alcohol with driving, saying, “Drinking and driving never, ever go together. So none of them will be receiving this award if part of their practice is to be drinking while driving.

“We encourage people who choose to drink to drink, and do it responsibly. And for many of us, you know, Guineas is iconic. Guinness is 75 years old in Nigeria this year, but we know that our drivers, who are responsible, will not combine drinking and driving. That is the reason why we are supporting LASDRI and the reason why we are here today. We want you to also be ambassadors of that message that when you drink don’t drive and when you drive don’t drink”. He added.

In a brief remark, Mr. Adebayo Olusoji, the Director of the Directorate of Public Transportation and Commuter Services, reiterated the need for drivers to always comply with traffic regulations, but emphasised on the need for commercial drivers to comply with the directive of the State Government to register their vehicles and operational routes.