It was an unusual spectacle for many when a private nongovernmental organisation honoured three public officers with awards that they did not expect or contest for because they were found to be hard working, dedicated to their duties and for their positive impact on their immediate environments.
In most cases, the major thing that qualifies people for such an award is the amount of funds that could enter the coffers of the organizers but this was not the case when recently, the Lagos Chapter of De Norsemen Club, singled out three personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Maintenance Agency (LASTMA); Rotimi Ibrahim, Olatunji Bose and Elegbede Oluwasegun to be celebrated with an award.
The trio was honoured not only because they dared to be different but due to the fact that they routinely display commitment to their duties at a ceremony in Ikeja, Lagos as part of activities marking the annual international day celebration of the club.
According to the president of the Chapter, Mr. Ajimotokan Babatunde, the men had demonstrated that strong will and character towards solving the perennial challenge of traffic, which is synonymous to the metropolis, adding that until recently, moving around the metropolis is fraught with challenges.
“But it is heart-warming that the government is gradually finding solutions to this challenge of traffic gridlock through the relevant agencies. We felt we should not forget to acknowledge those that really distinguished themselves in the task of making traffic smooth-sailing in the state,” he stated.
The Awards, he argued, were meant to encourage them to continue the good job they are doing, especially in solving the traffic gridlock in Lagos.
“No matter how brilliant and experienced a government’s chief executive and his appointed or elected team may be, without the support of civil servants like LASTMA officials, such an administration is doomed for failure. The public service is the treasure house of resources but it must be continuously encouraged and challenged to compete and dare to achieve higher goals, he said adding that, the purpose for giving out such award was to encourage those in service of the nation to continue to do more.
“Behind every great and laudable project and success in life are men and women of vision, men and women with a mission, men and women who define their individual destinies by committing themselves to public good. But to encourage many to have this perception about government job, it is important not only to reward those who are doing well in their job but to acknowledge them publicly as good examples for others,” he added.
One of the award recipients, Rotimi Ibrahim, in his response expressed pleasure and excitement at the gesture, noting that this will further propel him to work harder in his service to the people of Lagos State and humanity.
“While it is quite good to be hard-working, it more satisfying to see that such is being recognized and honoured. For me, it is a pleasure that very few of us, out of very many officials of the agency are being singled out for honours today. It is definitely an experience that I would live with for the rest of my life,” he stated.
Stressing the significance of the award, one of the co-conveners and member of the board of trustees of the organization, Dr Giwa Adesola Williams, described government as an artificial legal entity, whose efficacy depends on human beings.
“Government is an artificial legal entity; its efficacy depends on human beings that are very valuable. Without this type of people, the machine of the state will definitely grind to a halt; hence the need to honour individuals who are daily making sure that government is functional and that society turns out well,” he stated.
According to him, the award ceremony is in tune with the
organization’s mission of helping the less privileged, promoting good etiquette and service to humanity, adding that the organization, which was founded in 1985, is dedicated to helping the less privileged, promoting good etiquette and service to humanity.