- Institute inducts 151 New Members, Associate Members
The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA) Nigeria, has attributed the gross inefficiency and chaotic state of the nation’s transport system to a huge participation of non-professionals, even as the Institute inducted 151 new members and associate members, yesterday.
CIOTA President, Dr. Bashir Jamoh made this remark at the Institute’s mid-year membership induction ceremony which held at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, where he encouraged more private and public operators to join the Institute with a charter and expertise to instill professionalism.
Speaking with News Diet at the event, Dr. Jamoh said: “There is a huge need for CIOTA to do more training and retraining of those involved in transport business in Nigeria. The membership of the Institute shouldn’t be restricted to public organizations alone because private operators also have a lot to gain. Professionalism brings productivity, efficiency and enhances performance.”
“I urge CIoTA leadership and all members of the Institute to increase the sensitization and awareness because it appears that Nigerians are yet to become abreast of the realities on the issue of professionalism in transportation.”
Meanwhile, he expressed delight that professionalism in nation’s transport sector has taken a positive leap as 58 new members and 93 new associate members were inducted into the Institute at the event chaired by His Royal Majesty, Oba Rafiu Ishola Balogun, FInstTA, the Elejinrin of Ejirinrin Land.
While delivering the keynote address, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde stressed that professionalism through a well-structured training is fundamental to ensuring that practitioners are well-endowed to operate within the tenets of the profession.
Oladeinde further posited that professionalism definitely has a direct bearing on the development of the country, but he opined that local content also has its place as Nigerian transport woes require solutions tailored to the peculiar scenarios.
His words: “Transport professionals devise strategies to improve transport mobility by designing new systems and upgrading existing networks. They also examine the impact of new developments on transport systems by modes, with a view to improve accessibility, thereby, ensuring that essential facilities such as schools, hospitals, major employment areas, recreation areas and shops can be reached via the transport system.”
“Across the World, professionals are the engine driving sustainable infrastructure and services towards the development of the nation and overall global business competitiveness.”
In his remarks, the Deputy President, CIOTA, Dr. Darlington Ofor stated that CIoTA has always played the leading role in ensuring the development of the transport sector across all the modes and he urged transport stakeholders to continue to collaborate for thel utilization of professional expertise in the sector.
The Chairman of the occasion, who was represented by a Governing Council member, Dr. Dom Obiajulu disclosed that the present administration is working to consolidate on the Institute’s mandate through the implementation of policies that will bring significant improvement from the foundation laid by its founding fathers.
He took the participants through the historical accomplishments of the Institute and charged them to make great contributions take would make the founding fathers proud and position the Institute as an attractive and relevant brand in the nation.
During the presentations, the Speakers; Professor Bamidele Badejo and Prof. Charles Asenime underscored the appropriateness of the theme of the induction ceremony, “Building Professional Career in the Transport Industry”. They also encouraged the new inductees to utilize the privilege of being part of the Institute to network for deeper synergy and collaboration across the transport modes for strategic integration.
The new Inductees were advised to apply their knowledge and robust content of the Institute’s curriculum as a standard in executing their professional roles for a transportation sector that will be beneficial to their organizations and the nation at large.
According to Institute’ National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Chizoba Anyika, the new members should also be driven continuously expand their knowledge frontiers and professional prowess through the professional qualifications available at CIOTA.
The event was graced by a former President of the Institute, Princess Mulikat Sanni; the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Transport Katsina State, Engr Billy Aminu Mohammed Albaba; the Group Managing Director, Temple Group, Prince Segun Obayende; Representative of Nigerian Army Logistics and Director Army Signals Brigadier General Dr. Yunus Zubair; the Commandant, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Prince Seni Ogunyemi; the Registrar, Institute of Chartered Secretariat Administration of Nigeria, Mrs. Taiwo Olusesi; the Rector, Institute of Transport and Management Technology (ITMT), Dr. (Mrs.) Lilian Chibor; among others.