By Dayo Adesulu
Just as the two winners of the programme: “Be Road Friendly” will be heading to the United Kingdom, August this year, Lagos State government has concluded plans to give immediate job opportunity to graduates of Lagos State University School of Traffic (LASUSOT) in order to alleviate the suffering of the unemployed graduates of the state.
Speaking at the 2010 second edition of the programme titled: “Be Road Friendly Competition” held at LASU recently, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Transport Education, Dr. Mrs Mariam Masha has said that the competition is aimed at imbuing in our children basic traffic safety knowledge early in life in order to develop the right road user attitude and behaviour.

A cross section of ‘Be Road Friendly’ competitors.

[b]She stated that the sensitization programme will help children learn, appreciate and get better understanding of traffic rules and its regulation adding that at the long run it will create the opportunity to actively contribute to relevant traffic management solutions for the state.

Recounting the success of the 2009 maiden edition, Masha noted that the winners embarked on a transport educational tour to the United Kingdom with the aim to further sharpen their knowledge on modern transport systems and traffic education.

According to Mariam the would be winners of the 2010 “Be Road Friendly Competition” are meant to write a variety of topical issues relevant to safety and traffic management and to also actively participate in “Photo Story” by identifying locations within the state to take picture of traffic challenges and proceed to proffering solutions to these traffic management issues after receiving lecture on the usage of camera.”

The grand finale she said is today which will allow for the formal presentation of findings and defending their pictures and solutions before the panel of judges by an independent panel of experts comprising both public and private sector organisations. Just like the 2009, winners prizes for the first and second place, Mariam maintained will be afforded an educational tour to the United Kingdom to visit the London Transport Museum, Department for Transport and Transport for London.[/b]

[b]Also speaking, Dean, School of Transport Studies, Dr.Tajudeen Bawa-Allah reiterated that governor Babatunde Fashola has concluded plans to give immediate job opportunity to graduates of Lagos State School of Traffic saying that the course is not for school drop-outs as it is the same SSCE qualification for student aspiring to read medicine.

The entry qualification, according to Bawa-Allah are English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Geography and Accounting.

Explaining further, he maintained that English Language, Mathematics and Physic are a must credited subjects and few other subjects which must include either Geography for those aspiring for B.Sc. Honours in Transport Planning, and Economics for those coveting B.Sc. Honours in Transport Management, while those who want B.Sc. Honours in Transport Technology and Infrastructure must have obtained a credit in Chemistry. “Transport covers these basic areas which include: transport planning, transport management and transport technology and infrastructure,” he said.
[/b]
Bawa-Allah pointed out that LASTMA Area Commander A and B were products of LASUSOT adding that presently, they have about thirty-eight of them undergoing that course.

The present one hundred (100) students in Transport course can heave a sigh of relieve as Governor Babatunde Fashola according to Bawa-Allah has promised them immediate job opportunity after graduation.

Very happy and proud to be a Lagosian,