LASDRI Honours 20 Outstanding Drivers, Urges Safety Culture On Lagos Roads

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos

The Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) has honoured 20 professional drivers for their outstanding commitment to road safety and professionalism, describing them as the “Unsung Lagos Ambassadors” whose conduct behind the wheel has contributed to safer roads across the state.

The award ceremony, themed “Unsung Lagos Ambassadors,” was held on Thursday at the LASDRI headquarters in Oshodi, marking the 10th edition of the institute’s annual Drivers Recognition and Award Ceremony.

Speaking at the event, the General Manager of LASDRI, Mrs. Afusat Tiamiyu, said the ceremony was organised to recognise drivers whose discipline, dedication and professionalism often go unnoticed despite their critical contribution to the economy and public safety.

She said LASDRI remains committed to promoting safer roads through continuous driver education, training, retraining and behavioural reorientation.

“A well-trained, disciplined and safety-conscious driver is essential to achieving a safer and more efficient transportation system in Lagos State,” she said.

Mrs. Tiamiyu urged drivers to make safety their foremost priority by avoiding reckless driving, respecting fellow road users and law enforcement agencies, including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs), while continually upgrading their professional skills through regular training.

She noted that the recognition programme was intended to encourage responsible driving and inspire other motorists to emulate exemplary professional standards.

“Today’s event gives us another opportunity to celebrate drivers who have distinguished themselves through exceptional conduct, dedication to duty and service to society. I congratulate all the award recipients and encourage them to remain worthy ambassadors of the driving profession,” she added.

Explaining the selection process, Tiamiyu disclosed that the 20 awardees emerged after a rigorous screening involving about 500 professional drivers who had undergone LASDRI training over the past decade.

According to her, the recipients were selected based on consistent participation in LASDRI training programmes for at least 10 years, a clean safety record without involvement in fatal traffic crashes or serious accidents, and outstanding performance in professional assessments covering technical competence, psychology and emotional intelligence.

“It is not just about knowing how to drive. We also assessed their emotional intelligence, attitude, professionalism and overall conduct. Only 20 scored the highest marks,” she said.

She explained that the awards have grown significantly since the initiative began a decade ago with only a handful of recipients.

“This is our 10th edition. We believe recognising excellence motivates others to embrace safer driving practices, and every year we see greater interest from professional drivers across government establishments, transport unions, schools and private organisations,” she said.

Also speaking, the Director of Transport Operations at the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olasunkanmi Ojoowuro, commended LASDRI for sustaining initiatives that improve road safety and professional driving standards.

He praised the institute’s management for organising regular capacity-building programmes aimed at strengthening drivers’ competence, particularly in defensive driving.

“Our objective is not merely to produce people who can operate vehicles but to develop drivers who understand safe and defensive driving techniques. Driving responsibly requires continuous learning and professionalism,” Ojoowuro said.

He added that regular training remains standard practice in many developed countries and commended the Lagos State Government for investing in initiatives that improve safety on the roads.

Earlier, award recipients participated in a practical facility tour led by LASDRI’s Director of Engineering, Engr. Munirudeen Bajulaye, who conducted technical demonstrations on vehicle engines and safety systems.

During the session, Bajulaye urged professional drivers to understand the mechanical systems of their vehicles to improve safety, reduce breakdowns and minimise maintenance costs.

He described the engine as the “heart of every vehicle” and advised drivers to carry out daily inspections before every journey, paying close attention to unusual sounds and warning signs that could indicate mechanical faults.

The engineer demonstrated the operation of petrol and diesel engines, explained the functions of major engine components, and highlighted the importance of the alternator in charging vehicle batteries and supplying electrical power.

He also introduced participants to electric vehicle technology and explained the operation of air brake systems commonly used in heavy-duty vehicles, warning that air leaks could result in complete brake failure.

According to him, improving drivers’ technical knowledge enables them to detect faults early, maintain their vehicles properly and contribute to safer highways.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, LASDRI’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Michael Aribisala, described the annual recognition programme as one of the institute’s flagship initiatives designed to bring together stakeholders in the transport sector to promote knowledge sharing, professionalism and best practices that enhance road safety across Lagos State.

The annual ceremony has become one of LASDRI’s flagship programmes for promoting professionalism, recognising excellence among drivers and encouraging safer road transport across Nigeria’s commercial capital.