Be good traffic ambassadors, LASTMA charges youths
By Ibrahim Adeleke
The General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Bolaji Oreagba has charged youths to be good traffic ambassadors while on the road by acting as change agents for their parents/guardians in order to ensure orderliness and safety always.
Oreagba said this over the weekend when pupils and students of Kole-Best International School, Oshodi visited the Agency at Oshodi on the occasion of their ‘Year 2022 Career Day Celebrations’.
According to the General Manager, “students numbering over eighty (males & females) were educated on various traffic signs which include Prohibitory and Warning signs which must be obeyed by motorists on our roads.”
In a statement on Sunday, the Director of Public Affairs Department (LASTMA), Mr. Adebayo Taofiq quoted the General Manager who was represented by Mr. Subair Bashir (Assistant Comptroller, Lagos East II) to have said that students were enlightened on the negative impacts of traffic congestions on human life and the need to regularly ensure free flow of traffic on roads.
He said Oreagba explained that traffic management and control is central to human activities.
“According to him, traffic affects all aspects of human endeavours and pursuits as it determines travel time and arrival,” Taofik said.
He further stated: “He emphasized on why students and other pedestrians must not walk on the road while backing traffic flow, crossing in between two big vehicles, crossing at non- Zebra crossing designated areas and crossing on the highways including other road activities students should desist from for safety.
“The General Manager confirmed that the Lagos State School Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme (LASTSAP) is a carefully designed and unique traffic education programme by the government for primary school children and secondary school students aimed at developing a better understanding of road traffic safety and reducing the impact of trauma on our roads…it is also aimed at protecting the future and ensuring sustainable development by catching them young.”
He maintained that youth segment is an essential key in the development of any nation, because they have the potential and capability to make change happen for themselves, their communities and the rest of the world.
Earlier in her address the Head of Administration of the School, Mrs. Lateef Omobola said that ‘Career Day celebrations’ is an annual event where students are guided and carefully tutored along with the career they have chosen to become in future.
She further said that inculcating traffic/road signs into students at a tender age would go a long way in reducing all man-made infractions and accidents on roads.
