Transportation sector can enhance Nigeria’s economy – Obayendo

The Group Managing Director of Temple Group Limited, Prince Segun Obayendo, has called on the government and private sector to continue in their support to the transportation sector, being a major economic driver in the country.

L-R: Prof. Charles Asenime, Dean Transport Planning and Policy Lagos State University, the Chairman, CIOTA, Lagos Chapter, Dr. Taiwo Salaam, GMD Temple Group Ltd, Prince Segun Obayendo, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde at the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA) 2022 Mid-Year Induction Ceremony – in Lagos recently.

Obayendo made this call during his goodwill message at the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA) 2022 Mid-Year Induction Ceremony which held in Lagos and had in attendance, the Hon. Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladehinde, the President of CIoTA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh and many other distinguished personalities in the sector.

The event had the theme “Building Professional Career in the Transport Industry.” where a total of 151 new members were inducted, comprising a fresh set of 58 Members and 93 Associate Members.

Addressing the guests, Obayendo emphasised that, “The Nigeria transportation sector, when professionally managed, is a vast sector for revenue generation. I always believe that a vibrant, and efficient transport system will enhance Nigeria’s economic, developmental and strategic roles in the global system/economy.  As we all know, there is a direct correlation existing between transport and economic wealth and CIoTAhas a major role to play in harnessing this wealth. As CIoTANS, we must work within our environment and help the government to achieve and sustain an efficient transport system that allows easier movement of people and goods from households to their destinations.”

Continuing, he added, “And I must congratulate and welcome all the inductees into the CIoTA family. Transportation is an integral part of our everyday life. High engagement and involvement of the growing number of professional transport administrators in the sector would gradually result in low unemployment rate.”

Similarly, the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, remarked that, “The State is committed to meeting the transport needs of the Lagos teeming population through the introduction of Lagos Bus Services Limited, among others. He went ahead to explain the ongoing projects currently under execution in the bid to continue providing a well-structured transport system that will address traffic gridlocks across the metropolis.”

CioTA’s President, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, stressed the need for professionalism for improved productivity. He said, “I urge CIoTA leadership and all members of the Institute to increase the sensitization and awareness because it appears that Nigerians are yet to become abreast of the realities on the issue of professionalism in transportation.” Dr. Jamoh who is also the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) added, “There is a huge need for CIOTA to do more training and retraining of those involved in transport business in Nigeria. Therefore the membership of the Institute should be open to both public organizations and private operators because there is a lot to gain.”

Speakers during the presentations, Professor. Bamidele Badejo; Dean, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State and Prof. Charles Asenime; Dean Transport Planning and Policy Lagos State University, both charged the inductees to advance the course of transportation by always applying professionalism and collaboration with colleagues to guarantee an excellent multi-modal transportation system in Nigeria.

The ceremony –  which was chaired by His Royal Majesty, Oba Rafiu Ishola Balogun, the Elejinrin of Ejirinrin Land – had so many top professionals and associates in attendance including the former President of the Institute Princess MulikatSanni, Deputy President, CIOTA, Dr. Darlington Ofor, CIOTA Registrar, Mr. Rasheed Aiyelabegan, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Transport Katsina State, Engr Billy Aminu Mohammed Albaba, representative of Nigerian Army Logistics and Director Army Signals Brigadier General Dr. Yunus I. Zubair, Prince Seni Ogunyemi, TRACE Commandant Ogun State; the Rector, Institute of Transport and Management Technology (ITMT), Dr. (Mrs.) Lilian Chibor; the Registrar, Institute of Chartered Secretariat Administration of Nigeria, Mrs. Taiwo Olusesi among others.