Transporters for Tinubu 2027 Launches Drivers’ Care Initiative in Abuja

 The Transporters for Tinubu 2027 support group has officially inaugurated its Drivers’ Care Initiative at Jabi Motor Park, Abuja, signalling the commencement of a broad outreach programme aimed at enhancing the welfare of transport workers across the Federal Capital Territory.

The initiative, scheduled to cover all motor parks within the FCT and eventually extend nationwide, centres on three key pillars: free eye testing and treatment, drug abuse sensitisation for commercial drivers, and access to soft loans through the Transporters Cooperative Society.

Speaking at the launch, National Coordinator of Transporters for Tinubu 2027, Prince Segun Obayendo, characterised the programme as a token of appreciation for the indispensable role transporters play in Nigeria’s economic life.

“We recognise them as the soldiers of transportation, the backbone of movement in this country. Without them, the economy would grind to a halt. Today is about giving back, taking care of their eyes and health without costing them a dime. It is our way of saying thank you for keeping Nigeria moving,” Obayendo stated.

He revealed that the programme would be implemented simultaneously across all 36 states and the FCT by June, leveraging the sector’s structured nature to achieve widespread impact. Obayendo underscored the group’s grassroots reach, noting its capacity to drive significant political engagement.

“Our focus extends beyond the road sector. Just two days ago, I engaged operators on the inland waterways in Warri. Every transporter matters. Our objective is to ensure safety, longevity, and well-being across all modes of transport,” he added.

Obayendo also announced plans for a 10-million-vote mobilisation drive in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, asserting that the transport community’s numerical strength positions it as a decisive force in the upcoming elections.

In her remarks, Programme Coordinator Mrs. Chinwe Uwaegbute stressed that the initiative was conceived as a practical response to the health and welfare challenges confronting transport operators.

“Transportation remains central to national development, and at the heart of this system are our drivers who work tirelessly to keep our economy moving. However, the demands of their profession often expose them to health challenges, fatigue, and welfare concerns that directly affect road safety,” Uwaegbute observed.

She underscored the importance of eye health in accident prevention, noting that while drivers may be confident once familiar with routes, such confidence must be underpinned by regular medical checks. “Today’s programme is here to ensure the eyes remain open and the body remains healthy,” she remarked.

Uwaegbute advocated for robust collaboration among agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), alongside transport unions and private sector partners, as essential to sustainable road safety.

She described the initiative as consistent with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which prioritises human capital development and social responsibility across sectors. The Coordinator expressed confidence that the Abuja launch would serve as a template for similar interventions nationwide, urging stakeholders to adopt the model in their respective domains.

“We are starting here in Abuja, but the vision is to cover every motor park across the 36 states. Our drivers deserve to be healthy, safe, and supported,” she affirmed.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seized the opportunity to deliver a firm warning to commercial drivers, revealing that 50% of road accidents in Nigeria are attributable to drug abuse.

Addressing the gathering, an Assistant Director from the NDLEA Directorate of Prevention and Drug Sensitization, Mr. Julius, urged drivers to reject narcotics and embrace responsible conduct behind the wheel.

“From our records today, 50% of the accidents that happen on our highways are as a result of drug abuse. Not some are natural, 50% of it is as a result of the drugs we are taking,” he asserted.

He delineated the distinction between drug abuse and drug misuse, explaining that abuse entails taking substances without medical prescription, while misuse involves incorrect dosage of an otherwise legal drug. Both, he cautioned, carry grave consequences, including liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, and permanent brain damage.

The NDLEA official drew attention to commonly overlooked substances such as kolanut, alcohol, and coffee, classifying them as “socially acceptable drugs” that alter mood and impair judgment when consumed excessively.

He expressed particular concern over the widespread sale and consumption of high-dose Tramadol, noting that the 250mg variant commonly hawked in parks and markets is banned and dangerous. “When you see somebody hawking 250mg, and somebody buys it, your perception and calculation on the road has changed. You may see a person crossing and think it’s a fly passing,” he cautioned.

The officer further connected drug abuse to broader societal crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and terrorism, asserting that no major crime is committed without the influence of substances. “Even the terrorism we witness today is driven by drugs. When they take high doses, they no longer see us as human beings,” he disclosed.

He appealed to drivers to distance themselves from peers who promote drug use and to cultivate a culture of responsibility for the sake of their families and passengers.

“Your wife loves you. Your children want you back home. Your parents expect you whole. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t abuse any substance when you are about to drive,” he urged, leading the assembly in a chant: “Say no to drugs, say yes to life.”

The NDLEA reaffirmed its dedication to sensitisation and enforcement, calling on transport unions to collaborate in disseminating the message across motor parks nationwide.

Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), FCT Chapter, Alhaji Musa Saidu, praised President Tinubu’s policies, citing interventions such as the 50% passenger fare reduction during the last Christmas season and the deployment of intra-city and interstate Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses.

“This is a president that has done a lot. We saw these opportunities during Jonathan’s era, and since then, it is President Tinubu who has revived them. May Allah grant him long life,” Saidu remarked.

He also appealed to the initiative’s organisers to ensure transport unions are integrated into electoral material distribution during future elections, as was previously the practice, to enhance participation and trust.

Vice Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), FCT Chapter, Alhaji Umar Abubakar, underscored the significance of the health-focused programme, particularly the eye care component.

“The eyes are the life of a human being. Without them, the body is useless. Our drivers must be checked and sensitised. Transportation is the key to everything in this country, without it, no nation can move,” Abubakar observed.

He urged drivers to shun drug abuse and prioritise safety, while calling on organisers to sustain the initiative for the long-term benefit of transport workers.

The Drivers’ Care Initiative is anticipated to run concurrently across multiple states in the coming months, with plans to engage union leaders and grassroots structures in delivering health services and mobilising support for the Renewed Hope agenda.

By Olusemire Jegede