By Ayomide Otitoju
Dangote Cement’s Ibese Plant in Ogun State has stepped up its road safety advocacy with a major sensitisation campaign for commercial drivers and motorcycle riders, warning against excessive speeding and highlighting the dangers of operating around truck blind spots.
The weekend event, held at the busy Ilaro Motor Park, drew hundreds of transport operators from Ilaro and nearby communities. The campaign aims to reduce avoidable crashes as road traffic increases toward the end of the year. Participants also received safety kits, including helmets, reflective jackets and safety goggles, donated by the company.
Addressing the gathering, Assistant Corps Commander Sulaiman Kolawole Oluwadumiye, Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), stressed that speeding remains a major cause of fatal road crashes.
“Speed is sweet—the engine sounds powerful, the road looks open, and you feel in control. But the same speed that feels good for one minute can destroy a family in another second,” he warned. “There is no reward for the fastest driver—only sorrow for the careless one.”
He explained that speeding reduces a rider’s ability to detect hazards and brake effectively, adding that articulated trucks pose greater risks when control is lost. Oluwadumiye also educated participants on truck blind spots—areas around heavy-duty vehicles where drivers have limited or no visibility. He recounted a recent fatal crash involving a motorcyclist who entered a truck’s blind spot while overtaking.
During a practical demonstration, facilitators showed riders the four critical blind-spot zones—front, driver’s side, passenger’s side and rear—using live motorcycles and a stationed truck. Many participants expressed surprise at how invisible they were to a truck driver even at close range.
Ebere Okonkwo, Health, Safety and Environment representative for Dangote Cement Transport (Nigeria & Pan Africa), said the initiative aligns with the company’s mission to promote safer roads and strengthen cooperation among all road users.
“Safety is a shared responsibility,” she noted. “This programme teaches drivers and riders how to identify blind spots and equips them with the necessary safety kits. Overspeeding, impatience and miscalculations are still leading causes of avoidable accidents, especially towards the New Year when traffic peaks.”
The Head of Transport and Safety at the Ibese Plant, Peter Abuad, led additional practical sessions, emphasising strategies for avoiding truck blind spots. “If you are in any of these blind spots, the truck driver does not know you’re there. Avoid them at all times,” he advised.
Officials from the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) commended Dangote Cement for its continued investment in public safety. They described the programme as a valuable complement to efforts by FRSC, TRACE and VIO to improve road discipline across the state.
Participants expressed appreciation for the initiative. Rider David Odumoye said the training was timely and impactful. “Nobody is an expert on the road, no matter how long you’ve been riding. We thank Dangote for the enlightenment and the protective kits,” he said.
Another rider, Rafiu Olusegun, added: “Dangote has always cared about our welfare and safety. We will put everything we learned into practice. Nobody starts a journey planning to lose their life.”
The session ended with a road show and a renewed appeal for riders and drivers to prioritise patience, responsibility and safety over speed.
