* as Doctor Warns Against Health Risks
* RTEAN Members Obtain FUNAAB Certificates in Conflict Resolution
More than 100 members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Ogun State chapter, have benefited from a medical screening exercise.
The screening, held on Tuesday at the association’s secretariat in Abeokuta, featured blood pressure and blood sugar checks as part of efforts to promote the health and safety of commercial transport operators.
Dr. Fashola Caleb of the Ogun State Ministry of Health, who participated in the exercise, said medical personnel had attended to several members, some of whom presented health complaints requiring medical attention.
“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,” Caleb said.
He explained that participants who required further investigations had been advised to visit nearby hospitals as soon as possible.
According to him, more than 100 people had been screened or attended to during the exercise, while additional members continued to come forward for medical checks several hours after the programme commenced.
Caleb urged commercial drivers to pay closer attention to their health, warning that medical emergencies while driving could put passengers and other road users at risk.
“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.
He advised drivers to undergo regular medical examinations, follow medical instructions and consult healthcare professionals whenever necessary.
The doctor also recommended that transport associations organise periodic eye-screening exercises and bring medical services closer to drivers at motor parks and garages to encourage more members to participate.
He further advised commercial drivers to avoid alcohol before driving, keep their driver’s licences up to date, maintain their vehicles properly and comply with road safety regulations.
Caleb called for similar health programmes to be extended to other transport associations, including those representing commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators, noting that regular screening could help detect illnesses early and potentially save lives.
RTEAN Members Obtain FUNAAB Certificates in Conflict Resolution
In a related development, 20 members of the Ogun State chapter of RTEAN have obtained certificates in conflict resolution after participating in a three-day value-added training programme organised in collaboration with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
The programme was facilitated through the university’s Institute of Communication and General Studies under its Peace and Development Studies Programme.
The certificates were presented to the beneficiaries by the State Chairman, Alhaji Akibu Titilayo, Efele, who was represented by the Deputy Chairman (Administration), Otunba Segun Johnson, during a meeting at the association’s secretariat in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
Speaking after the presentation, the State Secretary of RTEAN, Tiwalade Akingbade, said the programme was designed to equip members with the skills to manage disputes, improve relationships with passengers and discharge their responsibilities as transport operators and employers more effectively.
He explained that participants had opportunities to advance their knowledge through further qualifications, including an advanced certificate and a diploma in conflict resolution.
Akingbade said the training was particularly important given the perception that transport operators were difficult to deal with, despite their frequent interactions with passengers and other members of the public.
“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 that conflict management skills would also help members maintain better relationships with their drivers and manage their transport businesses.
“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,” he stated.
The RTEAN secretary described the participants’ experience at FUNAAB as rewarding, commending the university for making the training accessible and delivering the lessons in a language the participants could understand.
He disclosed that the first batch had generated interest among other members, with more than 20 prospective participants reportedly on the waiting list for subsequent training sessions.
According to him, those who attended the programme had shared their experiences and the benefits they gained, encouraging others to enrol.
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.
He commended the organisers and lecturers for the quality of instruction, expressing confidence that the participants would apply the knowledge acquired in their daily activities.
Olasunkanmi added that the training had positioned the participants as ambassadors of the road transport sector, assuring that they would live up to the responsibility.
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