The gesture was part of the foundation’s efforts to impact society by preventing road accidents involving motorcyclists.
Speaking at the distribution of the items on Thursday in Ondo town, the founder of the foundation, Gbenga Fawehinmi, stated that the foundation’s concern was the beneficiaries’ safety.
He said, “Okada riders are important parts of the community. I see a lot of accidents happening on the road because they are not visible at night to other road users. We are giving them these reflective jackets to prevent okada crashes on the roads.”
Fawehinmi, who is a nephew to the late legal luminary and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, said the series of training he underwent in the mentorship of the late legal icon prompted him to be involved in philanthropic programmes.
He explained that the foundation also focused on giving scholarships to school children with all needed accessories, saying it decided to help the beneficiaries in a little way to avoid road crashes in the course of their work.
“The foundation also helps kids and gives them scholarships, bags, and books in the community but we cannot take care of the kids and leave out their parents. That’s why we thought of helping the community as well.
“This is a continuous project for us. Last year, we gave waste bins and ensured that the waste management board comes to take away the waste every week,” he stated.
Fawehinmi urged the beneficiaries to use the reflective jackets with dignity and honour for their safety.
In his remarks, the Manager of the Foundation, Mr Joshua Aremu, said the foundation believed in the power of collective efforts to create positive change in the society.
“Today, we come together not only to provide reflective jackets but also to emphasize the importance of road safety. Motorcyclists play a vital role in our society, serving as a backbone of transportation for many. It is our responsibility to ensure their safety on the roads.
“These reflective jackets are more than just pieces of fabric, they symbolize our commitment to enhancing road safety and reducing accidents. By increasing visibility, we aim to protect our motorcyclists and promote responsible riding practices. We firmly believe that every life saved on the road is a victory for our community,” Aremu admonished.
Also speaking at the programme, the representative of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr J.K Ajayi, described the gesture as uncommon.
He urged motorcyclists to always wear helmets and hand gloves and warned them against wearing bathroom slippers while riding their motorcycles
Ajayi noted that if all necessary traffic rules were observed, road crashes would be at the barest minimum.
