SP MARGARET OKONKWO BAGS RECOGNITION AWARD FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT

The State Traffic Officer (STO) Lagos, Superintendent of Police, SP, Margaret Okonkwo has bagged an award of recognition for her role in traffic control and management in the state.

Okonkwo was recognized at the maiden edition marking the Traffic Control Day in Lagos at the Agege Stadium organized by the Feeders Foundation during the week..

According to the Founder and facilitator of The Feeders Foundation Hunsu Olusegun,” the idea of traffic control day is an innovative concept that seeks to bring awareness of the effects of traffic gridlock on the economy and health of the people. For this reason we also want to appreciate the traffic control agencies in the state for the role they play and we implore them to do more for a free flow of traffic to curb its impediments. He explained.

Speaking further Olusegun said the Traffic Control Day is also meant to inform and educate the people to understand that they play a major role in ensuring that the society moves on freely while observing that some people find it hard to cooperate with traffic management officers.

“That is why we invited the key players in that sector like the Police State Traffic Office Unit (MOTORPOL) Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA),Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) ,amongst others to talk to the people by this we intend to curb traffic congestion through the traffic control day in Lagos state.

“Traffic Control Day has never been observed anywhere in the world. The day is crucial to The Feeders Foundation. It is the day the organization became fully registered. The founder received the news while partnering with the police to control traffic and that was where the idea came from. We intend to achieve a better society endowed with law abiding citizens who are ready to sacrifice for progress”. Olusegun explained.

Addressing the crowd who filled the Agege township stadium to capacity SP Okonkwo charged the people to be law abiding stating that if we all obey simple traffic rules and follow instructions from the traffic officers on our roads the billions of naira the state lost yearly would have been averted.

“We know a lot of road construction is ongoing in the state and our roads will be free when completed so please for the time being let’s be orderly.

“As we all know, Lagos has become a sprawling megacity; as with all megacities across the world, Lagos is characterized by rapidly growing urbanization and its attendant increase in population.

“Therefore, this has become a key component of the challenges posed by an ever increasing population in search of greener pastures as has been the case with Lagos.

“Lagos is the nerve-center of Nigeria’s socio-economic and industrial activities. In any society, the challenge of rapid urbanisation and population explosion places enormous responsibility on the government and the citizens alike.

“It should, therefore, be expected that effective and efficient traffic system within the megacity would be the responsibility of everyone in the society.

“Most drivers drive against traffic which is very dangerous, some use their vehicles to push traffic officers, non observance to traffic signs, some drive with bare bodies , please this will no longer be tolerated, in Lagos we have a standard that must be adhered to strictly, please obey traffic rules and that is the key" Okonkwo explained.

Present at the occasion were the first Vice- president Nigeria Football Federation Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, the wife of Lagos State Governor who was duly represented by Chief Mrs Olulade.

Others were representatives of the LASTMA,VIS, FRSC, amongst others while highlights of the event was a novelty match between the celebrities/Feeders foundation and the traffic management officers who played with passion.The Traffic men won with a two/one while the celebrities/Feeders Captain Mr Ibu, a veteran actor won the most valuable player of the match.

The Feeders Foundation got award of Excellence for Innovative Initiative from CWAY food and beverage which was presented by The company’s Group Managing Director Mr Alok.

Feeders foundation is a non profit making and nongovernmental organisation.It is a group of concerned individuals with the idea of combating hunger and poverty.