DRIVERS AND ATTENDANTS HONOURED AT AWARD CEREMONY

It was a moment of joy and celebration as Management feted and conferred awards on drivers and attendants at the 2006 Accident-Free Award Ceremony held at Mayfair Suites and Conference Centre, Owerri on May 30, 2007. Dignitaries who came to felicitate with the award-winning driving crew, comprising coach and truck drivers and attendants, were made up of the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Army, Academics, Media men, Health and Safety Professionals, Transport Associations, and Student Leaders. Some of the dignitaries include Dr. K.U. Nnadi of the Transport Management Department, Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Mr. Vincent Ekwerike, the General Manager, Heartland FM, etc. Also, the families of these drivers and attendants graced this august occasion.

The chairman of the occasion, N. J. Okeudo, Associate Professor of the Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Technology, Owerri {FUTO}, congratulated Management for its unrivalled innovation and encouraged the company to maintain its top-most position as the premier and choice transport operator in the road transport sector. Mr. Frank Nneji, the MD/CEO of ABC Transport, who appreciated the presence of the notable personalities, commended the drivers and attendants for maintaining enviable safety records, urged them to keep up the good records and thanked all who made the day a memorable affair. Commander C.K. Oji (FRSC), Dr. J.I. Egwin, Vice-Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), and Mrs. G.C. Ibezim of Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (ANNM) all gave speeches. Chief Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri, Bureau Chief, Champion Newspaper, and Dr. C.T. Okafor, Director-General, Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA), gave further speeches. The longest-serving driver in the company, popularly known as “Tokus”, Mr. Peter Ihedioha, made a general speech on behalf of his colleagues. While two recipients of the award, Mr. Joe Chukwu and Mr. Kelechi Emeruwa gave appreciation speeches on behalf of drivers and attendants. Mrs. Emma Chukwu and Mrs. Festus Anyanwu also gave speeches on behalf of the drivers’ wives.

The ABC Accident-Free Award is an annual event set aside to reward drivers and attendants who recorded no accident during an operational year. This is with a view to encouraging them to maintain, at all times, a clean slate in safety. 232 drivers and attendants received certificates and cash gifts. The event also witnessed the handing over ceremony of the 2007 Travel & Win Bonanza Star Prize (a 2007 Hyundai Accent car) to the winner, Lady Chinwe Anyiam who came in the company of her elated husband – Sir Julius Anyiam.