By Rasaq Adebayo
A Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer has been rewarded with a cash gift of N100,000 by one Chief Ambassador Ajayi Abdul Lateef Adekunle, C.E.O of Ajayi Adekunle & Co, for an uncommon and different approach to work at easing traffic congestion exhibited by the official on Sunday, April 23, 2023.
The LASTMA officer, Lateef Kabir, was spotted by a well-meaning Nigerian on social media when he was desilting flood water with bare hands which were occasioned by the heavy downpour on Sunday at Odo Iya-Alaro Bridge inward Ojota area of Lagos.
Officer Kabir went out of his way to ensure the free flow of traffic which attracted commendations from members of the public making him stand out with this initiative.
Speaking at the presentation of the cash gift, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Taofiq Adebayo commended Alhaji Ajayi Adekunle for his kind gesture in recognising the good act and selfless service rendered by the officer.
Adebayo, therefore, urged motorists, particularly commercial bus drivers, to always obey traffic personnel on duty to avoid traffic bottleneck and engender free flow of traffic at any locations across the State.
Alhaji Saheed Bamidele, who represented Alhaji Adekunle Ajayi, a Real Estate Management Consultant, urged other LASTMA officials to exhibit positive values that are worthy of emulation.
According to Alhaji Adekunle, “I was personally touched when I saw a LASTMA officer on social media using his bare hands to dislodge floodwater into drainages on Odo Iya-Alaro Bridge just to ease traffic congestions on the bridge inward Ojota under the heavy rain on Sunday, 23rd of April, 2023.”
The recipient thanked the motoring public particularly, Alhaji Ajayi Adekunle for the show of love and appreciation.
He said: “I was just doing my job by ensuring free flow of traffic under heavy rain on that particular day without knowing that all eyes were on me.”
While thanking the General Manager of LASTMA, Bolaji Oreagba, Kabir gave Glory to the Almighty God for the special recognition given to him with the cash reward.
Those in attendance during the cash presentation include LASTMA Commander, Popoola Olushola, LASTMA Emmanuel Olasunkanmi (Zonal Head Zone 11 Anthony) and LASTMA Bakare Sulaiman (Head of Operations Zone 11 Anthony) among others.
