As part of its efforts to ensure smooth festive period, the Ibese Plant of Dangote Cement Plc in Ogun State at the weekend distributed some life-saving kits to motorcycle riders and commercial drivers in the Gateway State.
Some of the items given to the commercial drivers and riders included helmets, reflective jackets as well as safety goggles.
The company said road safety campaign, which happened at the Ilaro Motor Park, was to curb preventable crashes by promoting responsible driving and riding habits as vehicular traffic surges towards the year-end.
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.
A staff of Dangote Cement Transport for Health, Safety and Environment, Ms 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 the drivers and riders how to identify blind spots and equips them with safety kits. It’s part of our continuous effort to save lives.
“Overspeeding, impatience, and miscalculations remain leading causes of preventable road accidents. We urge riders to prioritize safe riding habits and strictly obey traffic regulations, especially during these remaining days into the New Year when vehicular movement peaks,” Ms Okonkwo said.
The Head of Transport and Safety at Ibese Plant, Mr Peter Abuad, led a practical session on basic issues in Road safety demonstrated 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,” he stated.
The Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Sulaiman Kolawole Oluwadumiye, 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,” he said.
He 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.
“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.
One of the beneficiaries of the programme, Mr 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, adding, “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.”