Why there is peace, security in Oyo State —Fele, NURTW boss

Fresh from the rumour of his death, the Oyo State chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Taofeeq Oyerinde (a.k.a Fele), in this interview by TUNDE OGUNESAN and OLAWALE OLANIYAN, speaks on the activities of the union under his leadership, the relative peace and security in the state and reveals more about his person. Excerpts:

How did you find yourself in transport business?

Just like any average young man who ventures into artisanship or learning any skill, I did not stray into transport business. I started from the natural first point of learning in transport which is bus conductor in 1975. Four years after, in 1979, I was able to process and got my first licence, thus becoming a full driver. That is how I got into transport business. So, by 1983, I have become a full-fledge member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) till date. I can boldly say that I rose through the ranks as a transporter and union members and, today, I give thanks to almighty Allah who has taken me so far.

You said you rose through the ranks. That means you also held other positions before becoming the state chairman of the union?

Yes. I was once a unit chairman, unit treasurer and unit secretary before I became the branch chairman. It is from being a branch chairman that I became the state chairman and now the zonal chairman for all the South West states.

There are some misgivings about your emergence as the state chairman…

There are no misgivings about my emergence. It is God’s mercy that made it possible for me to emerge as the chairman because I wasn’t prepared for it. Though, as you can see, since the time I became the chairman, it is not as if that I cannot do it. God has been helping us, especially in the area of peace which was made possible by the resolve of the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Unlike what we inherited from the preceding administration of NURTW in the state, Senator Ajimobi made it clear from the beginning that he is out to ensure peace reign in the state, so we have no excuse than to key into that vision. That alone made it possible for me, as the chairman, to enjoy my administration because the chief security officer of the state himself is a peacemaker. Governor Ajimobi’s resolve to have a fresh blood as the NURTW leadership in the state led to my choice and I can say there is no regret in both camps today for settling for that choice.

Before now, members of the public consider NURTW as a troublesome union. How were you able to change this perception?

It is not by my power or strength, but by the grace of God Almighty and the utmost support of the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. From day one, the governor did not hide his feeling in wanting to maintain peace in the state. So, he started with the NURTW by allowing us to operate by the rules and regulations of the union. He is not the type of governor who intervenes in union’s internal affairs and with that, there is no reason for crisis whatsoever. And as the governor, he has continued to support the union as the chief security officer of the state. The governor is a man of peace and has not hidden his hatred for crisis, no matter how micro or little it could be.

Recently, we heard about the incursion of some members of a deadly group into the state, the ‘One Million Boys’, allegedly to settle some scores with some members of NURTW. How were you able to handle them?

No member of my union has anything to do with the ‘One Million Boys’. We don’t know anything about them. It was the government and the police that were involved with them and they handled the matter, not NURTW. We don’t have any grouse with them.

And if I may say, what brought the ‘One Million Boys’ in the state could not be unconnected with some politicians that are using those boys to cause trouble, but God has intervened now.

Is it true that you wet some motor parks with juju that makes members to respect and obey your command so much?

There is nothing like that. Even if one prepares juju but don’t rule with the fear of God or according to the constitution of the union, such will fail. On members obeying my command, they don’t have choice because I make sure I don’t usurp their role or takes what belongs to them. The Yoruba will say agba to je aje iwehin, yio ru igba e dele. Leadership is about mutual respect and understanding. So, they don’t have a choice; they have to obey my command. I don’t apply any juju at any motor park. I only rely on prayer and God. You can’t use juju for any driver, it is not possible.

What is that unique thing you’ve added to the union that makes some corporate organisations and other unions to associate with it?

We’ve been able to rebrand our union which is now devoid of crisis or rancour. Unlike before, people are afraid of visiting our headquarters here because anything can happen at any time. But today, peace reigns here. You can visit the chairman anytime without exercising any fear of attack. We have successfully turned this place to a corporate union office. It will amaze you that we now have graduates in our midst. We have B.Sc holders, HND, ND and Masters Degree holders that are working with us.

How do you relax?

I don’t take alcohol drinks and don’t keep late nights. Whenever I leave office, except when I have ceremonial engagements to attend, I go home straight to meet my family. I unwind by engaging in sporting activities, in particular playing table tennis. I so much love playing table tennis. I make bold to say that I am good at that.

What about football, do you have any favourite team?

Aah, Up Gunners! Gunners for life! Arsenal FC of England is my team. I so much admire Arsenal because of their style of game.

How did you take the recent death rumour about you?

From those who wished me dead, I have gained one year each from the years they were destined to live on earth. I don’t know those who were behind the devilish act, because I don’t think I deserve such. I, Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, is 100 per cent okay, hale and hearty.

You said earlier that the ‘One Million Boys’ are being used by some politicians, do you belong to any political party?

No, but as a union, we relate with the government in power.

What are you going to do about the issue of ticket and the sense of dressing among your members collecting union fare on the streets?

Things have changed ever since I came to power; they dress well with their uniforms well kept.

What is your union doing about some drivers who take alcoholic drinks before they embark on any journey?

That is not true again. We now have the NURTW VIO that monitors our drivers and their vehicles before they leave the motor parks. They check the state of mind of the drivers and their vehicles, among other things. We also engage our drivers in various seminars to empower and improve on their state of mental well being.

Where do you hope to see NURTW, Oyo State in the next five years?

I look forward to see our union moving forward than what we have achieved now and I believe this is possible with the standard we have laid. I foresee lots of improvements, especially in some of the achievements of my administration. Now, we are planning to move our state office from Olomi to Ojoo and, by the grace of God, it will be completed by 2018. We have bought cars and buses for some of our members. We have in each branch, at least, a vehicle which they are now using for task force monitoring.

Who is your favourite musician?

All artistes with good brands of music are my favourite.

Do you have any favourite country you love visiting?

I love visiting the United Kingdom because of its environment.

Do you have any plan to venture into politics?

Politics? No and never. I can’t involve myself in it. What I know to do best is transport business and the politics of NURTW. I have no dream of going into full-time party politics in my life.

That means you are aspiring to become the NURTW national president of NURTW?

Insha Allah, that is my wish because we all pray to reach the pinnacle of our career and I know it is very possible.