The new executives of Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN) while being sworn-in.
Mr Sotayo Olusola has emerged the National President of Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN), also known as “Okada riders’.
Olusola, alongside other elected members of his executives, were sworn in during the Union’s 2023 Special Delegates Congress, on Saturday in Abuja and would serve for a period of three years.
The new leadership in his acceptance speech pledged his commitment to reform the Okada sector in the country.
”Part of the measures would be to establish a database for commercial motorists in the nation’s capital in order to flush out those who utilise it for illicit activities.
“Okada riders will be required to attend regular sensitisation workshops and be mandated to wear uniforms for easier identification.
“These are among others measures that the new leadership would put in place to ensure orderliness in the union.
Olusola, however noted that Okada business was one of the biggest employers of labour in the country therefore, the sector should be supported rather than scrapped.
According to him. “we are going to modernise everything about okada riding in Nigeria.
“We will provide a database for them so that they can be identified anywhere they ride a motorcycle.
“We did it in Lagos and Ogun and now we are bringing it to Abuja.
“It is going to solve the issue of insecurity and we are going to flush criminality out of from the okada business sector,” he said
He added that there are some people who are committing various crimes but are using okada business as coverage for their criminalities.
Olusola however commended those operators who are genuine and making decent Okada business.
“So we are going to re-organise, so that the Federal Government can recognise us properly.
“That is why we have this common union. So that we can protect ourselves.
“We will be holding sensitisation workshops for members so that they can be obeying the rules and regulations of the association.
He therefore appeal to the federal government not to ban the okada operations anywhere in the country .
Mr Denja Yaqub, Assistant General Secretary of NLC called on the union to be united.
Yaqub also advised the new leadership to stand for what is justice and fair.
“I will also urged to ensure the welfare of your workers,” he added.