By Aichienede Akhabue Goodluck
According to Maxwell Maltz, “to change a habit, make a conscious decision, then act out the new behaviour”.
It is against this backdrop that the Edo State Traffic Control and Management Agency (EDSTMA) initiated the Edo State School Road Safety Advocacy Programme aimed at changing the narratives of traffic management in the State.
The maiden edition of the advocacy programme with the theme ‘The Role of Children in Following Road Safety Rules’ was held on May 27, 2022, at the EDSTMA Academy, Sapele Road, Benin City.
The event was in commemoration of Children’s Day and had in attendance students from some public and private schools.
The uniqueness of the advocacy programme was the induction of some students as ambassadors into the EDSTMA Academy. These young ambassadors will be groomed to serve as role models to their peers, families and society at large in traffic management and related matters.
Delivering a lecture on ‘Personal Safety and Anti-Kidnapping Consciousness’, the Managing Director of EDSTMA, Mr. Dennis Oloriegbe, admonished the students to be mindful of their environment, particularly as it concerns security and safety.
He gave some security tips which the students should take cognizance of to prevent themselves from being kidnapped as well as steps to take if kidnapped. He summed up the lecture thus, “Get Smart, Get committed, Get loud, Get going and Take action”.
The newly inducted ambassadors asked Mr. Oloriegbe questions bordering on the functions and powers of EDSTMA in traffic management. The forum also presented the opportunity for the students to get acquainted with the State Government’s stride in ensuring the free flow of traffic and traffic management in the State as expounded by the EDSTMA boss.
This novel development by Edo State Government, through EDSTMA, is worthy of commendation given the menace of traffic congestion that the State is witnessing occasioned by the flagrant disregard for traffic rules and regulations by some commercial and private car users. Consequently, the newly inducted student ambassadors will be of great benefit in changing the narratives as they will help the Agency in championing road safety and the need to obey traffic rules and regulations in the State.
In addition, the new ambassadors will help to propagate the gospel of safety to other students across the State in the light of the security challenges currently bedevilling the Country, while inculcating safety and security guides in other students.
It is pertinent to state that the State Government, under the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki, has continued to make giant strides in enhancing traffic management in the State through the provision of world standard Central Park, refurbishment and installation of new traffic lights, street lights as well as the construction and equipping of EDSTMA office, which has undoubtedly redefined traffic management and guaranteed efficient service delivery from the staff of the agency.
