His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr ) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa1) has assured officers and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps to ensure a culture of safe road use across Ibadanland and Oyo State.
The monarch gave the assurance during the courtesy visit paid to him at his Palace located at Oke Aremo, Ibadan on Wednesday.
The message of the assurance was contained in the press release issued and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga shortly after the visit.
The paramount ruler urged the FRSC to continue to operate with professionalism , discipline and respect for the people they serve, adding that they should collaborate with traditional institution, the Oyo State Government, other security agencies, transport unions and other stakeholders for safer roads.
Oba Ladoja said that Ibadan is the home of all Yorubas saying that nearly all past leaders and the present ones have their residences in Ibadanland, consequently,he called on all and Sundry to join him in taking Ibadanland to a greater height
Earlier in his address, the Sector Commander of the Oyo State Sector Command, Federal Road Safety corps (FRSC) Kehinde Dahunsi expressed his profound humility and honour of his management team to pay an historic royal visit to Olubadan Palace with warm reception accorded them.
In his words,” Ibadan is a city with a remarkable history not only in the political, cultural and socio – economic development of Nigeria, but also in the history of road safety administration in the country”, he disclosed.
According to Sector Commander Kehinde Dahunsi, the road remains the most important links between people, communities, economic activities, however, the increasing population, vehicle ownership and human movement in Ibadan and across Oyo State continue to create significant road safety challenges, noting that government agencies alone cannot solve these challenges thus the need for the support of the traditional institutions as critical partner in achieving safer roads.
The FRSC Sector Commander sought the collaboration of His Imperial Majesty in encouraging motorists,, commercial drivers, transport operators , motorcyclists and pedestrians to embrace responsible road use, obeying traffic regulations, avoiding over speeding,, dangerous overtaking, ensuring vehicle roadworthiness, using seat belts and crash helmets, avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and considering other road users to reduce road accident and make difference between life and death.
Present at the courtesy visit were the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland,Oba (Dr) Kolawole Adegbola, Aare Alasa of Ibadanland, High Chief Adewuyi Odunade, the President General of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes ,(CCII) Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, Mogajis and Baales.
