L-R: Head, Strategic Communication, Events and Sponsorship,  Access Bank, Oge Kasie-Nwachukwu; Awardee,  Lastma Babatunde Tonode;  and  Lead Sponsor Unifeed Project Initiative (UPI), Mojibade Sosanya.

 

A traffic officer with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Babatunde Tonode, has been presented  with a ‘Diamond Service Award’, and a cheque of N75.000, for his ‘exceptional service’ to the motoring public in Lagos.

 

The award ceremony, put together by Unifeed Project Initiative (UPI) in conjunction with Access Bank Plc. was to appreciate workers, particularly uniformed personnel.

 

The Lead Sponsor of Unifeed Project Initiative, Mojibade Sosanya, explained that the initiative stemmed from an incident she personally witnessed  on a Sunday, in April, 2021, when she saw officers of the agency, and other uniformed personnel, on that very sunny day, managing and controlling traffic across  the city, despite the unbearable weather.

 

She stated further that Lastma officials had also rescued her when her vehicle broke down at night in a place where she could have easily been robbed.

 

“They were like angels sent to help me.  I could have been robbed when my car broke down that night. They assisted me to push my car to a distant place beyond the danger zone. This led to the thought of appreciating uniformed men for their dedication and commitments,” she explained.

 

Sosanya confirmed that among other uniformed personnel picked for public consideration, Lastma Babatunde Tonode emerged first with the highest number of votes to win the award.

The  General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, was represented by the agency’s   Director of  Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq,  and LASTMA Zonal Head, Mr Mabifa Oluwatosin at the award presentation event,

 

Commenting on the award, Taofiq noted that  despite the risk associated with controlling/managing traffic in the state, the occasion, he stated, marked the second time,  in a space of few weeks, that officers of the Agency would be recognised, appreciated and rewarded for being dedicated to work.

 

While acknowledging the award as a well-deserved one, he stated that  traffic management across the State is becoming technologically driven with the distribution of new 500 Traffic Management Solution (TMS) handheld devices to Lastma personnel by the present government.

 

He disclosed further that physical contact with traffic violators would be drastically reduced during traffic enforcement as these newly deployed ‘TMS’ hand-held cameras would ensure transparency by capturing real-time video/photograph of violations as evidence to be presented before the court.

 

Also speaking at the event, the Unit Head, Strategic Communication, Events and Sponsorship of Access Bank Plc, Oge Kasie-Nwachukwu said that it wasn’t difficult latching on to the initiative as part of  the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) that would encourage other uniformed personnel to do more in serving the public.

 

In his remarks, Lastma Babatunde Tonode, thanked the organisers for the award in recognition of his service to the public.

 

He also expressed his appreciation to the management of Lastma for creating a conducive environment for its officers.