Transporters for Tinubu 2027 Hosts Drivers’ Care Initiative in Zuba

The Transporters for Tinubu 2027 support group has taken its Drivers’ Care Initiative to Zuba Motor Park, offering free health services, drug abuse awareness, and financial empowerment programs to transport workers in one of the FCT’s busiest union hubs. The event follows the successful flag-off at Jabi Motor Park.

FCT Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Alhaji Musa Saidu, addressed drivers, underscoring the initiative’s significance.

“We gather here to sensitize and support our drivers because safe driving begins with good vision. This program belongs to us, and we must embrace it fully,” Saidu remarked. He noted that Zuba was deliberately chosen as a venue due to its status as a major transport hub. “Zuba is the heartbeat of our union in the FCT. I have rallied our leaders to ensure our members turn out in strength,” he added.

Officer Umar Aliu of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) delivered a strong warning to drivers, revealing that 50 percent of road crashes in Nigeria are linked to substance abuse.

He drew attention to commonly ignored substances such as kolanut and alcohol, describing them as “socially acceptable drugs” that compromise judgment when misused. He raised particular concern over kolanut consumption among drivers battling fatigue.

“Kolanut affects the brain gradually and can trigger high blood pressure and sleep disorders,” he cautioned. He also condemned the abuse of Tramadol, noting that the 250mg variant sold illegally in parks is both banned and hazardous. “Under its influence, your perception distorts. You might see a pedestrian and mistake them for a passing fly,” he warned.

Officer Aliu urged drivers to steer clear of substances that threaten lives, leading the crowd in a chant: “Say no to drugs, say yes to life.”

Eye care professional Dr. Kelechi cautioned drivers against dangerous traditional remedies and self-medication.

“When an eye is irritated, some people apply urine, unaware that it contains bacteria that worsen the condition. Before long, sight is lost entirely,” he warned.

He advised against purchasing eye drops from unlicensed vendors and borrowing another person’s reading glasses. “Your eyes are your livelihood. Without them, earning a living becomes impossible. Protect your vision,” he urged. Free eye screenings commenced shortly after his address.

Andy Okoho, representative of the Transporters Cooperative, presented the financial benefits available to members, including savings plans for vehicle acquisition, emergency funds, and low-interest loans accessible within 48 hours.

He highlighted the cooperative’s digital innovation, a mobile app enabling members to monitor their savings in real time. “Once registered, you receive the app. Save 50,000 naira, and each morning you can verify your balance on your phone,” Okoho explained.

The Zuba outreach is part of a broader nationwide campaign by Transporters for Tinubu 2027 to deliver free eye care, drug abuse education, and soft loans to transport workers across all 36 states and the FCT by June. The initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, focusing on human capital development and social responsibility.

Following the sensitization sessions, drivers at Zuba Motor Park proceeded for free eye tests and consultations, with many expressing gratitude for the program’s tangible impact on their well-being.