NEWS
Road Safety: Dangote Cement Leads Ember Months’ Awareness in Ogun
The Dangote Cement Ibese Plant in Ogun State has intensified its road safety campaign with a robust sensitization programme for commercial drivers and motorcycle riders.
Biztellers reports that the campaign over the weekend emphasized the dangers of speeding and the life-saving importance of understanding a truck’s blind spots. The event, held at the bustling Ilaro Motor Park, attracted hundreds of drivers and commercial motorcyclists from Ilaro and neighboring communities.
The campaign, it was gathered, aims to curb preventable crashes by promoting responsible driving and riding habits as vehicular traffic surges towards the year-end.
The Safety awareness campaign also saw the Cement Company distributing some safety kits to the Commercial motorcyclists. Items such as helmets, reflective jackets as well as safety goggles were freely gifted to the excited riders.
Addressing the drivers and riders at Ilaro Motor Park, Assistant Corps Commander Sulaiman Kolawole Oluwadumiye, Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), warned that excessive speed remains a leading cause of fatal crashes.
“Speed is sweet—the engine sounds powerful, the road looks open, and you feel in control. But the same speed that feels good for one minute can destroy a family in another second,” Oluwadumiye cautioned. “The road has no respect for confidence or experience. There is no medal for the fastest driver and rider, only sorrow for the careless one.”
He explained that speeding reduces a rider’s ability to spot danger and brake effectively, noting that articulated trucks pose even greater risks when control is lost. Oluwadunmiye also educated participants on blind spots—the hidden areas around trucks where neither the driver’s eyes nor mirrors can see.
“Most crashes involving motorcycles and trucks happen because riders unknowingly enter these danger zones,” he said, recounting a recent fatal crash caused by a rider overtaking on the wrong side and disappearing into a truck’s blind spot.
Facilitators demonstrated the four major blind spots—front, passenger side, driver’s side, and rear—using live motorcycles and a stationed truck. Riders were stunned to discover that even an attentive driver could not see them in these zones.
In her comment, Ebere Okonkwo, Health, Safety and Environment, Dangote Cement Transport (Nigeria & Pan Africa), explained that the initiative aligns with Dangote Cement’s broader mission to promote safer roads and foster harmony between truck drivers and other road users.
“Safety is a shared responsibility. This programme teaches road users especially the drivers and riders how to identify blind spots and equips them with safety kits. It’s part of our continuous effort to save lives.
“Overspeeding, impatience, and miscalculations remain leading causes of preventable road accidents,” Okonkwo said. “We urge riders to prioritize safe riding habits and strictly obey traffic regulations, especially during these remaining days into the New Year when vehicular movement peaks,” Okonkwo said.
The Head of Transport and Safety at Ibese Plant, Peter Abuad led a practical session on basic issues in road safety demonstrating how the drivers and the Okada riders could identify and avoid truck blind spots. He highlighted four critical danger zones—directly in front, both sides, and behind heavy vehicles—warning riders to steer clear during lane changes and turns.
Said he: “If you are in any of these blind spots, the truck driver does not know you’re there. Avoid them at all times. Dangote Cement Ibese is committed to ensuring safety and improving lives.”
Officials from the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE, Solomon Salako and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), Mr. Obafemi Matemilola lauded Dangote Cement for its continuous investments in public safety and awareness programmes aimed at improving road behaviour by commercial drivers and riders across Ogun state.
They stated that the safety campaign compliments the roles being played by the FRSC, TRACE and the VIO in improving sanity on the road towards safe road usage by all stakeholders.
One of the beneficiaries of the programme, David Odumoye thanked the management of Dangote Cement for deeming it fit to come to the park to meet the drivers and riders and enlighten them on road safety issues and donating safety items to them.
Expressing his gratitude, Odumoye said “Nobody is an expert on the road, no matter how long you’ve been riding. This training is very important. We thank Dangote for the initiative and the protective kits.”
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Another rider, Rafiu Olusegun, noted: “Dangote has always cared about our welfare and safety. We will put everything we learned into practice. Nobody starts a journey planning to lose their life.”
The session ended with a road show and a strong reminder for riders to choose patience, responsibility, and life over speed.
CAPTION: Zonal Head VIO Ilaro, Engr. Matemilola Obafemi; Commander, TRACE Ilaro Unit, Salako Idowu; Federal Road Safety Unit Commander, Ilaro, Sulaiman k. Oluwadunmiye; Dangote Cement Plc, Group Head Transport /HSE, Ebere Okonkwo; Dangote Cement Transport, Ibese Plant, Head of Safety Transport, Peter Abuad at the Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant 2025 Edition of Ember Months Road Safety Campaign in Ilaro, Ogun state.
The Nigerian Senate has commenced the screening of Muttaqha Rabe Darma, a ministerial nominee forwarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for confirmation as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Darma appeared before lawmakers in the Senate chamber on Thursday at about 12:32pm, where he was immediately subjected to questioning by senators as part of the constitutional confirmation process.
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The session, which is currently ongoing, has seen lawmakers engage the nominee on issues relating to his qualifications, experience, and plans for contributing to national development if confirmed.
Recall that President Tinubu had on Wednesday, written to the Senate requesting the screening and subsequent confirmation of Darma as part of efforts to strengthen his cabinet.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who read the President’s communication during plenary, referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for legislative consideration and directed that the exercise be handled promptly.
The screening is expected to continue as senators further evaluate the nominee before any confirmation decision is made.
More to follow………..
Two persons have been confirmed dead while another is missing following a fresh attack on Kum community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State in the early hours of Thursday.
The attack reportedly occurred around 3 a.m. when unidentified gunmen stormed the community and opened fire sporadically, forcing residents to flee for safety amid panic.
Eyewitness accounts and community sources said the attackers invaded while residents were still asleep, leaving destruction and confusion in their wake.
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Confirming the incident, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Mr. Rwang Tengwong, said local vigilantes had already begun a search operation for the missing resident, while efforts were ongoing to restore calm in the area.
The latest assault adds to growing insecurity concerns in Riyom LGA, which has witnessed a rise in violent incidents in recent weeks, including reported destruction of farmlands in nearby communities.
Security operatives are yet to issue an official statement on the attack, while tension remains high in the affected community as residents fear possible further violence.
Community leaders have called for urgent intervention from security agencies to prevent further escalation and ensure the protection of lives and property.
Authorities are expected to intensify surveillance and investigation into the incident as efforts continue to track the perpetrators.
The Oyo State Police Command has foiled a suspected armed robbery operation and arrested three suspects along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway during a routine patrol and stop-and-search exercise.
DSP Ayanlade Olayinka anipr, Mnisma, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), disclosed this in a statement via X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, noting that the operation was part of sustained efforts to strengthen security on major highways.
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According to the Command, operatives of the Federal Highway Patrol, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a Mazda commercial bus during a routine stop-and-search along the expressway.
During the search, one of the passengers, identified as Imoleayo Ibrahim ‘M’, was found in possession of a locally fabricated pistol, leading to his immediate arrest.
The suspect was reportedly interrogated on the spot and allegedly confessed that the firearm was meant for armed robbery operations along the expressway.
He also revealed that he was working with two accomplices identified as Ibrahim Najeem ‘M’ and Olamilekan ‘M’, who were responsible for coordinating and executing attacks on unsuspecting road users.
Following the confession, police operatives swiftly moved into action and arrested the two accomplices, bringing all three suspects into custody.
Reacting to the development, the Command said: “This arrest is part of our sustained proactive policing strategy aimed at ensuring that the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and other highways remain safe for commuters.”
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, commended the operatives for their swift response and professionalism, describing the operation as a reflection of effective intelligence-led policing.
He also appreciated the Inspector-General of Police for his leadership and operational guidance, stating: “The support of the IGP has continued to strengthen our capacity to respond swiftly to emerging security threats.”
The CP further emphasized the importance of public cooperation, noting: “Security is a shared responsibility. We urge residents to continue providing timely and credible information that can help prevent crime.”
The Command assured members of the public that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full network behind the suspected robbery operations and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.
For emergencies, the Command urged the public to contact: Oyo State Call Response Center (Toll-Free): 615
Police Control Room: 08081768614, 07055495413
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