The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA) has raised its bar as the only chartered transport and administration institute in Nigeria as a way of improving professionalism in the sector.
CIOTA President, Doctor Bashir Jamoh, made this disclosure at the institute’s mid-year membership induction ceremony which was held recently at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos.
He attributed the gross inefficiency and chaotic state of the nation’s transport system to a huge participation of non-professionals saying it is the culture of the institute to churn out professionals to meet the demands for knowledge and certification of professionals in the sector.
“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 organisations 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 sensitisation and awareness because it appears that Nigerians are yet to become abreast of the realities on the issue of professionalism in transportation,” Jamoh said.
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.
The President charged the new inductees who took the oath of allegiance to be excellent ambassadors with the obligation to pursue and actualise the mission and vision of the institute.
He went further to say that CIOTA is a progressive institution that will not relent in advocating for an efficient and effective transportation system across all modes for greater national economic prosperity.
According to him, the prestigious professional membership of the institute was given to deserving men and women with enviable socio-economic activities.
In his keynote address at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Doctor Frederic Oladeinde, stressed that professionalism through well-structured training is fundamental to ensuring that practitioners are well-endowed to operate within the tenets of the profession.
He was of the view 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.”
Oladeinde said that Lagos State is committed to meeting the transport needs of a rapidly growing population through the introduction of Lagos Bus Services Limited.
He outlined the ongoing projects under execution in the bid to continue providing a well-structured transport system that will address traffic gridlocks across the metropolis.
In his remarks, the Deputy President of the institute, Doctor 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 the utilisation of professional expertise in the sector.
The Chairman of the occasion, who was represented by a Governing Council member, Doctor 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 that 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 Professor 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 utilise 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 organisations and the nation at large.
The event which was anchored by the National Publicity Secretary of CIOTA, Mrs. Chizoba Anyika, charged to continue to expand their knowledge frontier, expanding their professional prowess through the professional qualification.
The event was graced by a former President of the Institute, Princess Mulikat Sanni; the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Transport Katsina State, Engineer Billy Aminu Mohammed Albaba; the Group Managing Director, Temple Group, Prince Segun Obayende; Representative of Nigerian Army Logistics and Director Army Signals Brigadier General, Doctor 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.