Dangote Cement Leads Road Safety Awareness Campaign

•Empowers drivers, riders with life-saving kits in Ogun

Sunday Ehigiator

Dangote Cement Ibese Plant, Ogun State, has intensified its road safety campaign with a robust sensitisation programme for commercial drivers and motorcycle riders, held recently, emphasising the dangers of speeding and the life-saving importance of understanding a truck’s blind spots when driving or riding.

The event, held at the bustling Ilaro Motor Park, attracted hundreds of drivers and commercial motorcyclists from Ilaro and neighbouring communities.

The campaign 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.

“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.”

Oluwadumiye 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, Health, Safety and Environment Personnel, Dangote Cement Transport (Nigeria & Pan Africa), Ebere Okonkwo, 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 drivers and riders, how to identify blind spots and equips them with safety kits. It’s part of our continuous effort to save lives.

“Over speeding, impatience, and miscalculations remain leading causes of preventable road accidents. We urge riders to prioritise 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.

“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 complements 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.”

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.