Since Alhaji Taofeek Oyekunle Oyerinde, a.k.a. Fele, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Oyo State Council and the South West, took over the leadership of the once-troubled union, he has conducted the affairs of the transport union without employing violence. In this interview, the NURTW chairman speaks on his life as a driver, how he emerged as a leader, the activities of the union in recent times and the peace in the state in relation to the union. Excerpts:
How did it start?
I became a commercial driver in 1978. And before you could become a driver then, one must first work as a bus conductor. To the glory of God I was a bus conductor before I became a professional driver. Before, no parent would allow his child become a driver. The reason was that then, nobody could become a driver without first being a bus conductor. It was your boss at that time that would create time to teach you how to drive. There was nothing like a driving school. Things were done properly then. Commercial drivers used to adhere strictly to traffic rules.
They had the fear of the Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO, because they knew if they were caught violating traffic rules, it was a serious problem for them. Things were in order then.
So, how did you emerge as the leader of NURTW?
This union has been in existence for a long period of time and when it was founded in the state, it was for the progress of commercial drivers. It was not founded for any sinister motive.
When this union was inaugurated by the then President Shehu Shagari’s government, it was Success Ogundare (may his soul rest in peace) that became the first national chairman and he administered the union well then.
At present, our current National President, Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, is a man of peace. He does not tolerate rancour in the state chapters of the union. And he is praying fervently for all members of the union. If you are following a good boss, there will not be rancour of any sort. It was due to the greediness of some elements within the union that we experienced problems in some quarters. It’s only God that puts people in positions of authority.
I never expected I could become the chairman of this union. It was the least thing I expected. I was in my home when someone placed a call across, informing me that he heard it on the radio that I had been appointed chairman of the union without my knowledge.
Despite that, I did not pay attention to the news, until I was called from Abuja for swearing-in, that they had appointed me chairman of the union in Oyo state. That was how God did it.
What will you say you have so far achieved?
Previous governments in the state are fond of engaging some members of this union in unholy activities to disrupt the peace of residents in the state. But we are very grateful to the present administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi for his ability to return peace to the state. Gov. Ajimobi gave us a free hand to conduct our affairs without hindering our activities. He instructed us not to play partisan politics. This union is in full support of the government of the day. But we are not supporting them to cause any problem. We are partners in progress. We have very cordial relationship with the present administration
As we all know, Gov. Ajimobi is an intellectual and a man of peace. He allows peace to reign in the state. Since his emergence, you cannot hear where people are being murdered at will unlike with the previous governments. He is a man of peace that is why we are supporting him for the continued progress of the state. We don’t want any form of violence in this state again. So we have a very good relationship with him and his administration.
We requested for buses and he made them available to us. We urge him to continue building new roads for us. I also want to thank my members for cooperating with me and advise them to support the government of the day in making the state to witness continued peace and progress. They should stay away from vices that can hinder the smooth running of the union.
Adapted from an interview conducted and published by westernpostnigeria.com
