Authorities in Edo State in southern Nigeria have trained 20 women to work as commuter bus drivers in a bid to promote gender equality, the Vanguard newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Although it is common to have women driving cars in Nigeria, it is however unusual to see them driving public transport vehicles in the West African nation’s bustling cities.

“In February, when this project started, it seemed to many as though it was a complete joke that women who cannot drive a car would be taught how to drive a 42-seater bus,” said Sarah Ashuma, one of the female drivers.

The governor of the Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, who promoted the initiative argued that it would be impossible for any society to be successful if women were restricted to particular tasks and jobs.

“We feel favoured to be part of the female drivers’ initiative aimed at giving meaning to the girl-child,” Ashuma said. “You will not regret the funds spent on this project,” she added, referring to Governor Oshiomhole.

The women bus drivers are part of a wider project (which also included 39 men) to provide safe public transportation in the state given the high rate of road accidents in Nigeria, local authorities said.

A total 29,715 Nigerians were killed in road accidents between 2005 and 2010, while 118,993 of the victims suffered various degrees of injuries in accidents involving 53,000 vehicles, the Vanguard said

http://www.trust.org/trustlaw/news/nigeria-promotes-equality-with-women-bus-drivers-paper

Good development  glad to see women have an equal role in society compared to other developing nations.

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I love it!
Up Edo State.
Make SW/SE passenghias nor rap-e dem for bush sha-sha o!

^Rofl.

@Topic,Nice intiative.Make dem no drive reach dem wild wild north.