The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have held a 3-Day Capacity Building Training Programme for selected drivers of the university.
The training, which took place at the university headquarters in Abuja had in attendance officers from the FRSC who were saddled with the responsibility of putting the drivers through proper training on road safety rules, ethics and responsibilities of being a driver.
Present to declare the training open was the NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, who went down the memory lane on the already existing relationship between the two organisations, dating back the time the institution was resuscitated.
“We couldn’t have started NOUN without the FRSC. What we have now when it comes to the efficiency of our drivers is a far cry from what they brought to us when NOUN started; we somehow lost the training we had,” he said.
Peters stated that FRSC, which was established under former president Ibrahim Babangida’s regime, was to curb ghastly accidents from happening on various roads at the time; especially between the University of Ile-Ife and University of Ibadan.
“Without the FRSC, Nigeria would have been terrible and would have had worse situations on our roads. I have seen the topics that would be treated and I’m satisfied. We are thankful for the service they are rendering,” the VC said.
While wishing the participants a successful training, he urged them to listen carefully and ask questions in cases where they didn’t understand.
The Vice-Chancellor tasked them that it was not enough to have the set skills on how to drive but that they also have the responsibility of being in control and taking good care of the cars they are driving.
“Take the issue of your driving and the state of your car very seriously. You are in absolute control of the car and the person you are driving; and if you are wise, you will know how the person you are driving wants you to drive.
“At the end, let it be said that you are a good and dependable driver. Let us have confidence that we are in good hands after this training,”Peters said.
The Registrar, Mr. Ajayi Oladipo, in his opening remarks, implored the drivers to take the training very seriously by being observant and by learning new skills.
He said he was looking forward to seeing the essence of the training and there should be improved performance in their service delivery.
“This training should not go to waste. We are confident and hopeful that we will see positive results,”Oladipo said.
The Deputy Corps Commander of the FRSC, Commander Tenimu Y. Etuku appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for his kind words about the corps and stated that it was impressive that he called on them to train the drivers under his leadership.
“This shows that the VC is close to the FRSC, knows what we do and appreciates what we do. We are grateful that he has given us the opportunity to train his drivers,”said Etuku.
The Director, Staff Training and Development of the university, Mrs. Margaret Boro whose directorate put together the training appreciated the VC in her closing remarks for sticking to his mantra of training and re-training of staff.
She urged the participants to take in every bit of the training and improve on the aspect of protecting the affairs of their bosses.
Boro stated that they are the closest people to their bosses and it is mandatory that they know how to keep things regarding their bosses’ confidentialities; from the places they go to, to the conversations their bosses have in their presence.
The director assured the university management that the training will help brings out the best in the drivers and their service delivery would henceforth be impeccable.
