Speeches

Official Launch Of The Lagos State School Traffic Safety Awareness Advocacy Programme

Feb 24, 2009 - Our gathering here today is another step towards the fulfillment of our government’s resolve to start building the future today by investing in the future, our children. The target audience of this innovative campaign are our school children. Whereas we are the mirror through which they see life, all too often, we tend to undermine the significance of the child in society. We glibly refer to them as the leaders of tomorrow assuming their importance lies in the future. But we must never forget the immortal words of the poet, William Wordsworth, who declares that ‘the child is the father of man’. Our personalities, attitudes, habits, inclinations and predispositions as adults are often shaped during our childhood years. The most effective way to shape the attitude of tomorrow’s adult as a responsible citizen is, therefore, to positively influence the development of his or her character as a child today.

This is why I enthusiastically supported the proposal of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to introduce this School Traffic Safety Awareness Advocacy Programme in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Education.

The critical role that children can play as change agents in society has acquired added significance in our technology–driven world. In this age of Cable Television, the internet, mobile telephones, the i-pod and other gadgets of instant global communication across vast distances and time zones, today’s child is vastly better informed than we were at their age. This keen awareness of the world around them at a tender age can, therefore, be effectively utilized to help us achieve the necessary level of road safety awareness, which is imperative in a Mega City where millions of people must transit from one point to the other on a daily basis.

I was recently told a story that graphically illustrates the influence that a child can exert on adult behavior. Some motorists were driving against the flow of traffic (One-Way) with impunity and they were arrested by the appropriate law enforcement agencies. In one of the impounded vehicles a girl, who could not have been more than nine years old, was heard telling the driver of the vehicle “ Daddy, I told you not to take that road, you didn’t listen to me; see what has happened to us now”. This shows clearly that if our children are informed, enlightened and educated on traffic signs, rules and regulations, they can help bring about positive change in the driving culture of our people.

Through this School Traffic Safety Awareness Advocacy Programme, also code named BRF (BE ROAD-FRIENDLY) pupils, students and teachers in both public and private schools in the State will be exposed to various road safety values, ideas, programmes and other road traffic safety measures to be communicated to them. For the children in particular, the programme has been designed in such a way that they will have fun while learning road safety tips that will enhance their road safety consciousness. They will in turn influence the behaviour of their parents, guardians and other adults they come in contact with through the knowledge acquired.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, this Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme has been broken into different components to ensure a holistic learning process and guarantee its success. The first is the introduction of Safety Clubs in all public and private primary and secondary schools in the State where traffic safety lessons, practical exercises, quiz competitions to mention a few will be used to improve the traffic awareness knowledge of these children. Second is the design of School Traffic Safety Zones within the schools, which is aimed at promoting and enhancing safety environment around the schools. It will involve the installation of zebra crossings, road signage, traffic signs, traffic safety corners in all schools to complement the learning skills acquired from the Traffic Safety Clubs.

The Driver Safety Awareness training component of the traffic safety advocacy programme is to ensure that every school bus driver, vehicle owner and other drivers within the school environment is properly trained on how to be safety conscious and protect the lives of the young and innocent future leaders. These year long activities will be concluded with our Annual Road Safety Awareness Show. This is designed to engage parents, teachers and children in statewide activities including quizzes and games as a means of developing good and responsible road user behavior.

Ahead of this launch was the 1st school traffic safety competition organized to encourage children in our primary and secondary schools, both public and private, to participate in activities such as creative writing, creative designs, featuring paintings and drawings on how best to utilize our roads, essay competitions, development of road safety slogans for all categories of road users and creative road safety logo design competition to produce three dimensional models, demonstrating how to improve traffic safety areas within and around their schools. These competitions will be at the primary, junior and senior secondary school categories.

I am informed that over 300 entries were received in the first statewide competition and that the quality of entries as well as the degree of creativity were very high. This is certainly an encouraging start. I commend all those who participated and congratulate the winners in the various categories. I expect a keener and higher level of participation in the next round of competitions.

Distinguished guests, this is another proactive measure by our administration to reduce congestion on our roads and ensure that traffic moves on our highways. We have advocated the opening of street gates from 5.30am – 12 midnight to create alternative routes; improve interconnectivity of roads and ultimately decongest our roads. We commend those citizens who have complied and urge others to emulate them. We will achieve success if everybody concerned plays their role.

Let me emphasise that nothing is impossible. Traffic congestion can become history in Lagos if we resolve to make it history. We can do so many little but important things as our individual contributions. As your Government, we have shown the lead by removing the obstructions along Agege Motor Road at Mushin and Oshodi. If efficient movement of traffic flow is achievable on Agege Motor Road, it means there is nothing in our genes as a people that says we cannot live decently and with dignity. I urge us all to let order and organization become the defining features of a Lagos that earns the respect of the world.

Today, we are taking a proactive step in breeding a generation of future leaders for who respect for law and order; especially road traffic regulations, will be an instinctive habit.

I implore our parents and guardians to continuously show positive examples to our children and also listen to them when they give positive advice that can enhance our status as a Center of Excellence. We must never underestimate the intelligence of a child.

I express my appreciation to the Ministry of Transportation, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Ministry of Education and particularly the Consultant, PRX Global Options and all others who worked relentlessly to ensure that this School Traffic Safety Awareness and Advocacy Programme has become a reality.

On this note, it is my honour and pleasure to formally flag off the Lagos State Traffic Safety Awareness and Advocacy Programme to the glory of God and for the benefit of Lagos State and to declare that the programme will immediately commence in all the 1,038 primary schools, 307 junior secondary schools and 308 senior secondary schools in the State.

Thank you for your attention.

Eko O Ni Baje!

BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN
GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE