Dare Babalola
The Management and staff of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) gathered today to honour Senior Traffic Officer Olatunfe Oluwole John, of Zone 20, who was awarded “LASTMA Man of the Year 2025” for his exceptional service, compassion, and dedication to duty.
The development was made known by the agency’s Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, in a statement he released on Tuesday.
The LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, was quoted to have announced during the ceremony that Officer Olatunfe Oluwole John was conferred the honour in recognition of his exceptional display of empathy, professionalism, and life-saving intervention while performing his duties at the PWD along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway BRT corridor.
According to Bakare-Oki, Olatunfe distinguished himself by taking courageous action as a first responder at a distressing road traffic incident involving a commercial scooter rider and a female pedestrian, who suffered severe convulsions following the collision.
“His unwavering dedication to duty, humane disposition and prompt, effective service delivery have not gone unnoticed. His selfless intervention elicited widespread public commendation and attracted resounding accolades across various social media platforms,” Bakare-Oki stated.
Recounting the incident, it was noted that upon witnessing the accident, Olatunfe responded swiftly, administering immediate first aid to the victim in a bid to stabilise her condition.
He further demonstrated exceptional initiative by arranging a tricycle to transport the injured woman and scooter rider to Mayfair Hospital, Agege, where he stayed by her side. In a remarkable display of compassion beyond his official duties, the officer reportedly prayed for the victim’s recovery and ensured she received urgent medical care.
Unaware that his altruistic actions were being documented, an onlooker recorded the episode and shared the footage on social media, where it gained considerable traction and ultimately drew the attention of the LASTMA General Manager.
Further underscoring his integrity and profound sense of responsibility, Officer Olatunfe was said to have utilised the victim’s mobile phone to contact her family members, ensuring that her father and siblings were promptly notified and present at the hospital before he responsibly returned to his duty post.
He equally ensured accountability by compelling the scooter rider to assume full responsibility for the incident, including the settlement of all medical expenses incurred during the victim’s treatment.
In acknowledgement of this extraordinary conduct, the Management of LASTMA not only issued a formal letter of commendation but also promoted Officer Olatunfe from his former role as a Choke Point Officer to the position of 2nd Bravo, Zone 20, in addition to the presentation of a cash reward.
Bakare-Oki emphasised that the recognition and promotion were deliberately instituted to reinforce the Authority’s core values and to motivate other officers to emulate such exemplary conduct.
“This honour is designed to send an unequivocal message across the Agency that excellence, integrity, compassion and outstanding service delivery will always be recognised and rewarded. Officer Olatunfe epitomises the very essence of LASTMA’s mandate to safeguard lives and ensure orderly road usage,” he stated.
The General Manager concluded saying that the celebration of LASTMA Man of the Year 2025 therefore stands as a compelling testament to the Authority’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, human dignity and the promotion of exemplary conduct within the Lagos traffic management ecosystem.
