By Favour Nnabugwu

When people love the work they do, work becomes more than a job to them; it becomes a unique calling, a life’s mission. People with passion for their work do not only carry out their duties, but also brush off stress, anger and tiredness.

Though such passion is all too rare in the workplace because organizations like the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, DRTS, popularly known as Vehicle Inspectorate Office, VIO, do not even know how to cultivate it.

But a VIO official, Gbenga Titus Oladimeji, in Abuja, changed the axiom of ‘let my people go’ kind of commitment to work with his enthusiasm to duty. Oladimeji redefined dedication to work in traffic control that endeared him to thousands of road users, even little children in the nation’s capital.

*Oladimeji … unusual traffic controller!

He gets to his duty post, opposite Bick City Estate, near Kagini Bus Stop, along Dei Dei Expressway, Kubwa, as early as 5a.m to ease traffic.

Whether rain or sunshine, he joyfully controls traffic with all the zest his 50-year-old body can muster.

In high spirit, Oladimeji, popularly known as “Bumper-to-Bumper, Keep on Moving”, hails from Ilesa, Osun. He told Sunday Vanguard, in an interview, that he loves what he does and enjoys easing traffic in the metropolis and that, he has been doing for the past 14years.

He passes and stops vehicles by hand, head, hips and, sometimes, suspends one of his legs where possible, in the air to dictate the flow of traffic.

In recognition of his commitment to work, the VIO man received awards from the National Productivity Order of of Merit; Covenant Ministerial Chaplaincy, CMC, and Rotary Club of Abuja, Maitama.

Motorists and passengers look forward to seeing this officer everyday following his entertaining display while carrying out his duty of vehicular control. Without a shred of doubt, the uncommon display of Oladimeji thrills motorists and passers by who cheer him as he controls traffic. “I do the job with much enthusiasm because I am always happy,” he said.

“With or without being promoted, l will always be happy with my job. Promotion will come when it is God’s time. When God decides to promote me, I will be happy for it, but without promotion, I am still dedicated to my duty”.

Asked about his immediate family, he said he has a family of five, a wife and four children. His first son is in the university, the second one, a printer, while the last two are in secondary school..

People call him ‘Bumper-to-Bumper’ because of the way he acts on the road. A blend of seriousness and friendly gestures made him popular amongst the residents including children.

“They call me Bumper-to-Bumper because of the way I act. Even small children know me. When they close from school, they will be shouting from their school bus, “Bumper-to-Bumper…Keep on Moving”, he said.

“Once I am doing my work, I don’t know anybody. Even my wife was greeting me one day, I did not see her. I live in Niger State and come to work everyday, resuming by 5am. Even when I was working in Kwali, I never went late to work and, since 2000 when I started work, I have never missed work or even fallen sick. Surely, it is God. What will I be doing in the house, will I give children food or breast?”

Oladimeji’s entertaining display does not make him lose focus by not arresting vehicles that are not road worthy. “Once I see any vehicle that is not roadworthy, I get it arrested,” even as he pleaded that ‘motorists should make our job easier by simply complying with traffic rules”.

He encourages his colleagues to go about their duties dedicatedly. “My advice to the uniformed people is to always be at their duty post always. I will always advise my children not just for today but for the future as well, and to be always hard working and God will elevate them”, he posited.

Mr Bolatito Adeniyi, a motorist, who claimed that he had been driving in the FCT for more than eight years, says Oladimeji brightens his day as he drives past with his smiles and dedication to work.

According to him, such moments provide a comic relief for him especially when he is sober because of hassles at home or at work.

“You see, it is interesting that this man is taking traffic control to a high level; you don’t see such displays in other parts of the world; this guy is very innovative and must be encouraged”, Adejo said.

“Most times, when I am provoked at work or at home, I drive with aggression but once I sight this innovative traffic warden, my mood swings to a positive note”.

Another motorist, Mr Stanley Okenwa, said the innovative display of the warden was the best approach to traffic control, particularly in a society such as Nigeria, where many road users are habitually impatient.

“To me, the officer is very productive because he works in tune with what the society needs. Most drivers are always in haste and they hardly obey traffic regulations but when they get to points where ‘Bumper-to-Bumper’ is working, they pause and watch and joyfully they fall in line with his directions”.

Sharing similar sentiments, Innocent Ikwebe, a hotelier,   said lively traffic wardens were making the best out of a stressful occupation. He noted that Oladimeji stands in the sun or heavy rain from morning till the traffic dies down in the evening controlling vehicles, adding, however, that if such duty was combined with fun, it would become somewhat enjoyable.

Sunday Vanguard interviewed one of Oladimeji’s colleagues, Friday Adejo, who said he learnt a lot from the VIO official who, he claimed, is a father figure to him. “He is my dad and he is my boss. I love working with him because he is a very nice man”, Adejo said

“Before, l used to frown and vent my anger on motorists, but he cautioned me to do my duties with utmost joy

“He taught me to be very humble. When I first came here, I was angry with people unnecessarily, but when he talked to me, I calmed down and I realised that humility works out. He is like a father to me.

“We have a very good relationship. He is easy going. He is a very good man; that is why I love working with him, he controls traffic well. I am always happy any time they assign me to come and assist him”.