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Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, has organised its first comprehensive capacity-building workshop for drivers, reinforcing the importance of road safety, professionalism, and ethical conduct as part of efforts to improve transportation services and protect lives within and outside the institution.
The two-day workshop, themed “Enhancing Road Safety, Ethical Policing and Professional Driving Skills,” brought together officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), and university administrators to equip participants with practical knowledge on safe driving, vehicle maintenance, health, and workplace ethics.
Declaring the workshop open, Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole, the Vice-Chancellor, described the initiative as timely, noting that drivers are professionals whose responsibilities extend beyond operating vehicles to ensuring the safety of lives entrusted to them.
Oduwole urged participants to comply strictly with traffic regulations, avoid speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and cultivate a strong maintenance culture, stressing that the preservation of human life must always take precedence over speed or profit.
She added that drivers represent both the Vice-Chancellor’s office and the university community and are therefore expected to demonstrate competence, discipline, courtesy, and sound judgment in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Dr. (Engr.) Oluwole Olaniyi, the Director of Works and Services, described the programme as the first comprehensive training organised for drivers in the university’s history.
He commended the Vice-Chancellor for approving the initiative and providing the moral and psychological support that contributed to its success.
Olaniyi encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired during the workshop to improve their professionalism, accountability, emotional intelligence, and overall service delivery.
Resource persons drawn from the participating security and regulatory agencies emphasised that road safety depends on discipline, vigilance, and strict adherence to traffic regulations.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Assistant Corps Commander Sunday Adeyemi urged drivers to embrace defensive driving by obeying speed limits, avoiding reckless driving, eliminating distractions, and staying away from alcohol or drugs while driving.
According to him, defensive driving saves lives and helps motorists avoid delays and financial losses by anticipating and responding appropriately to hazards on the road.
Representing the Nigeria Police Force, Chief Superintendent of Police Ignatius Inyang described defensive driving as a proactive approach to preventing accidents. He advised motorists to remain observant, pay attention to unusual mechanical sounds from their vehicles, and always drive with consideration for other road users.
The Deputy Area Commander of the NDLEA, Oyo Area Command, Assistant Commander of Narcotics Duro Aiyenugba, warned participants against drug abuse and alcohol consumption before or during driving, noting that both impair judgment and significantly increase the risk of road crashes.
He also encouraged drivers to remain committed to lawful conduct and avoid illicit activities.
