Despite efforts put in place by the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, in reducing road carnages across the country, the Director of Medallion Intermediaries Limited, Barr. Olatunde Sanu, has advocated that driver education is the key to reduction of road mishaps in Nigeria. He spoke to our senior correspondent, Austine ELEMUE in an exclusive interview in his office. He also commended the leadership quality of FRSC Corps Marshal, Mr. Osita Chidoka and other sundry issues.
Excerpt:
Excerpt:
How did you become interested in driver education and management?
I have always had a passion for imbibing and imparting knowledge, but my interest in driver development was triggered by two unpleasant encounters. When I was still in the banking industry, a high profile client came to my office for banking transactions. At the end of the business, I saw the customer to the car park. Behold, the driver had disappeared with the brand new Mercedes Benz SUV and the huge sum of money the client just withdrew. Unfortunately, the vehicle, money and the driver were never found, simply because the driver was recruited through the crude and unrefined method. I mean, ‘Driver Wanted: Apply Within!’
The second ugly experience was two years ago when I introduced a marketing team from a prominent bank to an investor from America. The meeting was very successful and far reaching mutual commitments were made. The investor was so delighted that he decided to see the bankers to their car. We were, however astonished when we saw the bank chauffeur in a physical duel with a female local ‘paraga’ seller. His tie and two buttons on his shirt were already off. The investor passed a scornful glance at me and the bankers. And that was the end of the deal.
Those two events opened my eyes to the training need for drivers in Nigeria and the urgent need for intervention.
I have always had a passion for imbibing and imparting knowledge, but my interest in driver development was triggered by two unpleasant encounters. When I was still in the banking industry, a high profile client came to my office for banking transactions. At the end of the business, I saw the customer to the car park. Behold, the driver had disappeared with the brand new Mercedes Benz SUV and the huge sum of money the client just withdrew. Unfortunately, the vehicle, money and the driver were never found, simply because the driver was recruited through the crude and unrefined method. I mean, ‘Driver Wanted: Apply Within!’
The second ugly experience was two years ago when I introduced a marketing team from a prominent bank to an investor from America. The meeting was very successful and far reaching mutual commitments were made. The investor was so delighted that he decided to see the bankers to their car. We were, however astonished when we saw the bank chauffeur in a physical duel with a female local ‘paraga’ seller. His tie and two buttons on his shirt were already off. The investor passed a scornful glance at me and the bankers. And that was the end of the deal.
Those two events opened my eyes to the training need for drivers in Nigeria and the urgent need for intervention.
Why do you think driver education is that important?
Driving is one of the five most dangerous jobs in the world. In fact, it is the most difficult task to be given to an employee. A driver is also one of the most privileged employees. A chauffeur does not only have control over your vehicles steering wheels, most of the time he has access to and may, if not properly trained and nurtured, put your life, property, money, time, public image and personal and confidential information at risk. This special employee therefore requires special training, both of the skill and the mind.
By FAAN statistics, Nigerian airports witnessed 13 million passengers in year 2012. However, according to FRSC, 45 million people traveled on Nigerian roads between January and September, 2010 alone. This means that more lives and limbs and property were kept in the care of the average driver than his counterpart in the aviation or maritime sectors of the transportation industry. Meanwhile, the average pilot or sailor is well educated and highly trained, while the profession of driving is reserved for the never – do – well in society. I think there is a disconnect somewhere.
Driving is one of the five most dangerous jobs in the world. In fact, it is the most difficult task to be given to an employee. A driver is also one of the most privileged employees. A chauffeur does not only have control over your vehicles steering wheels, most of the time he has access to and may, if not properly trained and nurtured, put your life, property, money, time, public image and personal and confidential information at risk. This special employee therefore requires special training, both of the skill and the mind.
By FAAN statistics, Nigerian airports witnessed 13 million passengers in year 2012. However, according to FRSC, 45 million people traveled on Nigerian roads between January and September, 2010 alone. This means that more lives and limbs and property were kept in the care of the average driver than his counterpart in the aviation or maritime sectors of the transportation industry. Meanwhile, the average pilot or sailor is well educated and highly trained, while the profession of driving is reserved for the never – do – well in society. I think there is a disconnect somewhere.
What do you think is the solution to frequent accidents on Nigerian roads?
Research has shown that 96 percent of road accidents are caused by drivers, while external factors, including environmental conditions, state of roads, vehicles etc cause the rest. It goes down to show that the solution to road carnages in Nigeria is driver education and proper management.
All over the world there will always be bad roads and faulty vehicles. But a well-trained driver will be able to cope with both predictable and unforeseen situations on the road. Education should not be restricted to the driving skills alone but the mind must also be developed to embrace a service and caring orientation.
Education will also promote the right behavioural and attitudinal changes required for safe and effective driving. In other words, training of both skill and mind is the solution to frequent road mishaps in the country.
Research has shown that 96 percent of road accidents are caused by drivers, while external factors, including environmental conditions, state of roads, vehicles etc cause the rest. It goes down to show that the solution to road carnages in Nigeria is driver education and proper management.
All over the world there will always be bad roads and faulty vehicles. But a well-trained driver will be able to cope with both predictable and unforeseen situations on the road. Education should not be restricted to the driving skills alone but the mind must also be developed to embrace a service and caring orientation.
Education will also promote the right behavioural and attitudinal changes required for safe and effective driving. In other words, training of both skill and mind is the solution to frequent road mishaps in the country.
How will you assess road safety administration in Nigeria?
Nigeria is lucky to have FRSC under a vibrant and committed leadership. I salute the leadership quality of the Corps Marshal; Mr. Osita Chidoka. This has translated into a consistent decline in road crashes and fatalities. As at 2010, RTC in Nigeria was reduced by 50 percent. Emphasis on proper driver training as evidenced by the Driving School Standardization Policy of the FRSC will go a long way in ensuring safer roads for Nigerians.
Lagos State enacted a model law that is revolutionary in enforcing continuous driver education. I want to emphasize that the future of road safety in Nigeria lies in driver education.
Nigeria is lucky to have FRSC under a vibrant and committed leadership. I salute the leadership quality of the Corps Marshal; Mr. Osita Chidoka. This has translated into a consistent decline in road crashes and fatalities. As at 2010, RTC in Nigeria was reduced by 50 percent. Emphasis on proper driver training as evidenced by the Driving School Standardization Policy of the FRSC will go a long way in ensuring safer roads for Nigerians.
Lagos State enacted a model law that is revolutionary in enforcing continuous driver education. I want to emphasize that the future of road safety in Nigeria lies in driver education.
How can the private sector contribute to the reduction of road accidents in the country?
We cannot abandon the issue of road safety to the statutory authorities alone. We need to be our brothers’ keepers. The first task for us as individuals and organizations is to ensure quality training for our drivers. Like our company’s slogan: ‘if you don’t train them, you can’t blame them’. When you train a driver, you have ensured a great level of road safety compliance at your end.
Luckily, the Driving School Standardization Policy is premised on PPP. Our company, Medallion Intermediaries Limited is setting up model driving schools with state of the art training facilities in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and other major cities in Nigeria. We provide the most comprehensive and the most qualitative driver education in Nigeria. Our Chairman, Major R. O. A. Salawu is a retired Commandant of the FRSC Training School and we present a formidable faculty that comprises the best autochthonous experts in the field of road safety, driver education and management. This is our own humble contribution to the reduction of road carnages in Nigeria.
We cannot abandon the issue of road safety to the statutory authorities alone. We need to be our brothers’ keepers. The first task for us as individuals and organizations is to ensure quality training for our drivers. Like our company’s slogan: ‘if you don’t train them, you can’t blame them’. When you train a driver, you have ensured a great level of road safety compliance at your end.
Luckily, the Driving School Standardization Policy is premised on PPP. Our company, Medallion Intermediaries Limited is setting up model driving schools with state of the art training facilities in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and other major cities in Nigeria. We provide the most comprehensive and the most qualitative driver education in Nigeria. Our Chairman, Major R. O. A. Salawu is a retired Commandant of the FRSC Training School and we present a formidable faculty that comprises the best autochthonous experts in the field of road safety, driver education and management. This is our own humble contribution to the reduction of road carnages in Nigeria.
Source:Abuja Enquirer
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