Osun NURTW caretaker chairman assures residents of peace, seeks cooperation

By Sunday Oguntuyi, Osogbo

The newly inaugurated Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Caretaker Committee in Osun State, Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Ashiri Eniba, has assured residents that peace has returned to motor parks across the state following the resolution of the union’s leadership crisis.

Speaking shortly after assuming office on Saturday, Oyewale said the newly constituted state executives were recently invited to Abuja, where they were inaugurated to oversee the affairs of the Osun State Council.

He appealed to stakeholders, members of the public and the Osun State Government to cooperate with the new leadership, stressing that the union was committed to maintaining peace and order.

Oyewale urged residents not to associate members of the union with violence, describing commercial drivers as law-abiding citizens and responsible family men.

He also called on the police to conclude investigations into the killing of some union members during the leadership crisis and appealed to members who had stayed away from the union to return.

According to him, “Leadership changes are normal in every organisation. That is why we were invited to Abuja for our inauguration so that we can officially take charge of the affairs of the NURTW in Osun State.

“My advice to the people of Osun State is to remain calm. We, the commercial drivers, are not hoodlums; we are responsible family men. The police are already investigating the killing of our members during the crisis.

“Our doors remain open to all members because we are one family, and I urge those who have stayed away to return to the union.

“I also appeal to the Osun State Government to work with us. We are ready to cooperate with everyone because we are an independent union. I want to assure the people of Osun State that there is no longer any violence, as all issues affecting our motor parks have been resolved.

“I also appreciate the Nigeria Police Force for its efforts in handling the situation and urge the officers not to relent. May God continue to strengthen them. Work resumed across our garages on Monday.”

Also speaking, the Interim Secretary of the Osun State Council of the NURTW and Group 2 Chairman for the Ife Federal Constituency, Ayinde Mutiu Olakunle, assured residents that normal activities had resumed in motor parks across the state following the resolution of the leadership dispute.

He urged union members to embrace peace and refrain from acts capable of disrupting public order, stressing that the NURTW remained one united family despite the recent challenges.

“We want to assure the people of Osun State that activities have fully resumed in our motor parks and there is no longer any fighting in any of our garages.

“We appeal to all our members to shun violence and thuggery. The NURTW is one united family, and we encourage every member to return and resume their daily activities across Osun State,” he said.