The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, has described drivers as critical partners in the Soludo administration’s efforts to reform values and promote responsible citizenship across the state.
Mefor stated this when he received members of the Unified Drivers Welfare Association on a courtesy visit to his office in Awka. During the visit, the association decorated him as its Grand Patron.
Addressing the group, the commissioner said partnership with transport unions was critical to achieving the Solution Government’s mandate of value reformation in Anambra.
According to him, the proposal to partner with the ministry was “historic, timely and strategic,” stressing that reaching the grassroots with the message of value reformation would be difficult without the transport sector.
Mefor explained that the ministry was already working with other organisations and institutions, while a framework for value reformation was before the State Executive Council.
He linked the urgency of the initiative to rising insecurity, particularly the increasing cases of cult-related killings and activities in Awka South and Idemili North Local Government Areas.
“We cannot get to the governor’s dream of making Anambra a liveable and prosperous homeland with this level of violence. We must confront it. That is why we are desperately looking for partners that can help us reach the nooks and crannies of the state,” he said.
The commissioner urged the various bodies under the association to nominate representatives to join the ministry’s technical committee working on the value reformation manual.
He said the representatives would contribute to the development of the manual and communicate decisions and programmes back to their members, ensuring that all stakeholders were carried along.
Mefor further said the transport sector would be deployed to disseminate value-reformation messages in English, Pidgin and Igbo, with drivers distributing relevant materials and engaging passengers on the long-term agenda of the Solution Government.
“Soludo is not campaigning for votes. He is campaigning for Anambra to be good. His plans for Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley Anambra will benefit our children in 2070. That is the mark of a true patriot,” Mefor said.
He said the partnership had effectively commenced with the association’s visit and his decoration as Grand Patron, stressing that foundational work must begin now to enable future administrations to build on the initiative.
In his remarks, the National Coordinator of the association, Elvis Oliver Okolie, said the organisation, which represents more than 120,000 drivers and over 450,000 dependents, sought to partner with the ministry because of the strategic role drivers play in influencing values across the state.
“On a daily basis, issues of information and value reformation will be moving within not less than 720,000 people that operate on Anambra roads. That is the core reason we are here to partner,” Okolie said.
He added that the association also wanted the commissioner, in his capacity as Grand Patron, to help oversee drivers’ welfare, noting that the public attitude and appearance of drivers were themselves important aspects of value reformation.
The commissioner was decorated by the National President of the Drivers Welfare Club, Comrade Monday Ehinigbe.
