Firdaus Obiremi
Members of the Ogun State chapter of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria have received certificates in conflict resolution after completing a three-day training programme organised in collaboration with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
The programme, facilitated by FUNAAB’s Institute of Communication and General Studies under its Peace and Development Studies Programme, was designed to equip transport operators with the skills to resolve disputes, improve relationships with passengers and manage their businesses more effectively.
Twenty members participated in the training, while more than 20 others have reportedly expressed interest in subsequent sessions.
The certificates were presented to the beneficiaries by the state chairman of RTEAN, Alhaji Akibu Titilayo Efele, who was represented by the Deputy Chairman (Administration), Otunba Segun Johnson, at the association’s secretariat in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
Speaking with journalists after the presentation, the state secretary of RTEAN, Tiwalade Akingbade, said the training was intended to improve members’ ability to manage disagreements and promote peaceful interactions with passengers, drivers and other members of the public.
Akingbade explained that transport operators dealt with people from diverse backgrounds daily, making conflict resolution an essential skill for their professional responsibilities.
He noted that the training would also help members manage their drivers and employees while improving their relationships with customers.
“As transporters, the way people see us in society is that we are the difficult ones to deal with. And you know, we deal with many people. We deal with many passengers,” he said.
He added, “We are employers. We own vehicles. We have many vehicles that are working for us. We have drivers that we should manage. So, that is the reason we went for the course.”
The RTEAN secretary described the participants’ experience at FUNAAB as rewarding, commending the university for making the training accessible and ensuring that the lessons were delivered in language the participants could understand.
According to him, the programme also offered opportunities for further academic development through higher qualifications, including an advanced certificate and a diploma in conflict resolution.
Akingbade said the positive experiences shared by the first batch of participants had encouraged other members to seek admission into subsequent training sessions.
“The 20 participants are the first version, and so far, so good. We have some intended students. The people that are on the waiting list, there are more than 20 that want to go for the programme because the people that went for the programme told them what they gained there, and they were impressed,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Osioyemi Osinyemi Olasunkanmi, said the training had changed his perception of the university and demonstrated that transport union members could benefit from structured academic programmes.
Olasunkanmi commended the organisers and lecturers for the quality of instruction, expressing confidence that the participants would apply the knowledge acquired to their daily activities.
He described the beneficiaries as ambassadors of the road transport sector and expressed confidence that they would demonstrate the values and skills learnt during the programme.
In a related development, more than 100 people benefited from a medical screening exercise organised for RTEAN members at the association’s secretariat in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
The exercise featured blood pressure and blood sugar checks, with health professionals identifying participants with possible health concerns and advising them to seek further medical attention where necessary.
A medical officer with the Ogun State Ministry of Health, Dr Caleb Fashola, said the exercise had helped identify some participants who required medical attention.
He explained that medical personnel had attended to people with health complaints and counselled those who needed further investigations.
“We have seen a lot of them so far, and some of them had complaints that we have attended to. It was as if this programme was designed for some of them because we have actually been able to pick one or two of them that had some disease, and we have counselled them appropriately,” he said.
Fashola added that participants who required further medical investigations had been advised to visit nearby hospitals as soon as possible.
He said the turnout remained encouraging several hours after the exercise began, with members continuing to come forward for screening.
The doctor urged commercial drivers to prioritise their health, warning that sudden medical emergencies while driving could endanger passengers and other road users.
He stressed that regular medical examinations, compliance with medical advice and timely hospital visits were essential to reducing the risks associated with health emergencies behind the wheel.
“Generally, for drivers, they need to pay attention to their health because we don’t pray that they have emergencies. But if emergencies should happen while they are on their duty, it can affect other people’s lives,” he said.
Fashola also recommended that transport associations organise periodic eye-screening exercises and bring medical services closer to drivers at motor parks and garages to encourage greater participation.
He advised commercial drivers to avoid alcohol before driving, keep their driving licences up to date, maintain their vehicles properly and comply with road safety regulations.
The medical officer further urged other transport associations, including those representing commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators, to organise similar health programmes.
He said regular screening could help detect health conditions early, facilitate timely treatment and potentially save lives.
The training and medical outreach highlighted the importance of equipping transport operators with conflict management skills while promoting preventive healthcare to improve safety for drivers, passengers and other road users.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
'