EXEMPLARY CONDUCT IN A STRANGE LAND OF MOTOR PARCKS BY OTUNBA DELE AJAYI-SMITH
When Strong institutions are built around the citizens and citizens are made to practice the regulations on regular basis, this will improve the culture of the people and the value system will also GROWS on a sustainable basis.
Recent experience will confirm this assertion. My lady who entered a car from IYANA-IWO in Ibadan to Ijebu-Ode lost her purse in the car and she only realised that the purse was missing after getting home. It was difficult to assure her that she could still recover her N250,000 worth i-phone with her Debit/ATM card, however, when the phone was dialled, it was ringing all the night and the following morning, but without picking from the other end, which at least raises hopes for recovery.
We went back to the two garages where Ibadan vehicles were being loaded to report the loss of the purse containing the i-Phone and other items, they both assured us that for as long as the passenger had come through any of their motor parks, any lost item must be reported and returns by their drivers and will be kept safe for the passenger. At Iya-Ita motor pack, we exchange our phone numbers and go back home with the assurances given to us by those officers.
We got home less than one hour later and found several missed calls from the senior member of the motor park; Mr. Akeem Balogun (Alias AK) and when I called back, he informed me that the Driver Mr. Damilare Okewale returned the purse with all the content… intact.
This is an exemplary conduct which indeed shows that our society could be improved and made better by establishing peoples’-oriented association to be managed by conscientious choosing or elected leaders of the people.
Through constant practice, these associations will eventually impact on the quality of lives of the people in general.
I am thinking about different trade and professional groupings, the entire society could become strengthened through such orientation well enforced and recognised by various level of governments for the protections of the citizens’ lives and properties.
I personally would not have dreamed of such paradise-like character amongst the public transport operators in a society where we are under severe threats of kidnappers, one-chance syndrome, etc. But for sure, I can assure you, there could be a better society beyond our present predicament.
I am grateful to Mr. Damilare Okewale, Alias Omo-Emi and Akeem Balogun for displaying this very rare quality in our society and I am sure this level of humanity could be trusted with something higher, I have them in my memory and recommend them highly to fellow quality Nigerians.
Otunba ‘Dele Ajayi-Smith Is the President of African Citizens Development Foundation
About Author
