As part of efforts to sanitise and project the image of the transportation system in Lagos State and ability to reward good deeds and eliminate the bad eggs among the drivers and conductors in the state, Lagos-based frontline journalist and publisher of August24news.com, Mr. Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim, is set to present the best driver and best conductor awards to deserving professionals in the state.
The competition is expected to start in January 2026 and end by December 2026 and it has been designed to be a yearly competition after the maiden edition.
The parameters and measures put in place to pick the Best Driver and Best Conductor in the state is through commuters’ commendations, score cards, online voting system by the general public, public opinions and other relevant methods.
Many drivers and conductors in Lagos State are known for their lackadaisical attitude, but there are still good ones among them, which is the reason the platform wants to reward the good ones among them so that the wrong ones will emulate from the rewarded ones.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Teslim highlighted some of the marks expected in every drivers and conductors before winning the awards.
He said they must possess good character, good dress sense, good driving skills, saying that drivers and conductors must charge their passengers reasonable transport fares, possess good communication skills and relate well with their passengers.
“Thet should avoid stopping at undesignated bus-stops, avoid handling our naira notes because the way they are mishandling the currency is one of the reasons it is fading and changing faces,” he said.
In addition, he said they should avoid bribing officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other road transport officials because they want to have their ways. Also, they must receive and welcome their passengers with smiles and greetings, avoid pushing their passengers into and outside the bus, they must not smoke and drink before or while on duty.
He said they should be able to help passengers with free ride if the person pleads with them and they should not fight passengers whose fare is not complete. They should not make calls while driving. They should sit properly and avoid hanging on the bus, avoid picking passengers at unapproved bus stops and their buses must be in good condition before plying Lagos roads.
On what would be the benefits of the winner, Ajagbe stated that the winner would go home with over dozen gifts which include, a brand new bus, a brand new private car, a duplex, free 20 liters of fuel daily for a month, twenty four million naira cash, a brand ambassador contract, driving contract, tour of 10 notable places in the state, courtesy visits to 10 dignitaries in Lagos State, automatic employment for two of his children in Lagos State, 24 different native and English attires from a popular designer, 24 new tyres, an award plaque, conductor and driver bet, a befitting gala night and Letter of commendation from the Lagos State Government, adding that the best conductor will also get whatever the driver gets.
When asked about what prompted the idea, the publisher said that he had witnessed many ugly incidents among Lagos drivers and conductors, which he said made him think of a way to change the narrative and to rebrand the profession.
“I have witnessed, where drivers and conductors abused and insulted passengers which led to trauma. I have seen where a passenger was stranded, trekked home and even begged for transport fares simply because a wicked conductors took his change away. I have seen where people where properly dressed, clean and neat, unfortunately a public bus tore and dirty their clothes.”
Ajagbe revealed that the whooping sum of one billion naira (1.000,000,000) is proposed for the project and then called on the Lagos state government, the ministry of Transportation, corporate bodies, well meaning Nigerians to key into the idea and response promptly to the proposal sent to them as he can be contacted through; [email protected] for sponsorship and partnership to produce the best Driver and Best Conductor in Lagos State.
Commenting on the project, is former LAGOS State Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), was quoted as saying it was laudable and would add honour to the work of the commercial bus drivers and conductors in Lagos State
He urged people and institutions to sponsors to fully support the project.
