Dangote Cement Plc (Transport) has inaugurated the Dangote Articulated Truck Driving School in a courageous move to curb road traffic accidents among the company’s truck drivers.
The Academy, which was inaugurated on Wednesday at Obajana, Kogi State, by Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), was first of its kind by any indigenous manufacturing company.
The new Academy, according to the Corps Marshal, is a significant step forward that will benefit not only the Dangote Group but Nigeria as a whole.
The country’s number one road safety official hailed Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, for taking “a big step” towards reducing truck accidents.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for. You made it. I have observed that Dangote has done a lot to address truck crashes and I must commend them for this,” Oyeyemi said.
He extolled the conglomerate for leading other companies in this path, saying the new school will play a key part in the country’s efforts to make roads safer.
He said he had suggested the establishment of such a specialized school long ago , adding that he is happy that the school has come to fruition.
In his remarks, the National Director, Logistics of the Dangote Cement (Transport section) Mr. Juan Carlos Rincon, said the new school is an expression of the determination of the company to bring to a halt, the incidences of auto crash in the country.
Also speaking, Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) , Professor Idris Bugaje who was represented by Engr S.M. Yusuf, said the NBTE will partner with Dangote Cement Plc for a successful accreditation of the new school.
In his remarks, the Bajana of Obajana, Oba Idowu Isenibi , said he was optimistic that the school will help address auto crashes in the country, even as he described the President of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote as a “rescuer and God sent to their communities that should be emulated by other investors in the country. ”
Speaking in the same vein, the Olu of Akpata, Oba Frederick Balogun urged other investors to emulate the company.
Both the Dangote Cement Transport and the FRSC later signed a Memorandum of Understand (MoU) on how to collaborate to ensure that the school becomes a success.
