The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is charting a new course in its relationship with the media, as it formally inducted 12 distinguished journalists into its Media Mayor initiative. The ceremony, which held at the agency’s headquarters in Oshodi on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, was both colourful and symbolic, marking the beginning of a renewed partnership between traffic managers and the fourth estate of the realm.
At the heart of the event was the recognition of Comrade Oki O. Samson, the National President of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP). His decoration as a LASTMA Media Mayor was not just an individual honor but a testament to the growing importance of media advocacy in shaping public perception and strengthening road governance in Lagos.
He was joined by 11 other seasoned media professionals who also received the same honor. Among them were TVC News Executive Editor, Kayode Ladeinde; Victor Oteri, Director of Programmes at Traffic Radio; Joshua Morakinyo of LTV; Okunade Folarin of Bond 92.9 FM; Opeyemi Makinde of Adamimogo 93.1 FM; Adeola Oluwole, Publisher of Integrity News TV; Kazeem Bakenne, MD of National Moments News Online; and Soares Olaniyi of Mainland FM. Together, they represent a diverse cross-section of Lagos media.
The Media Mayor initiative, conceptualized under the leadership of LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, was born out of the need for synergy between the agency and the media in addressing the city’s traffic challenges. With Lagos growing daily in size and population, traffic management is no longer just about enforcement but about communication, collaboration, and public trust.
In his address, Bakare-Oki noted that the initiative is more than ceremonial. According to him, “The ‘LASTMA Media Mayor’ initiative was conceived as a forward-looking platform to integrate journalists into the operational matrix of traffic governance. It is designed to amplify collaboration, promote transparency, and engender trust among officers, road users, and the citizenry.”
He praised the dedication of his officers and management team, acknowledging their role in sustaining the vision of LASTMA. But he was quick to emphasize that the media has a critical role to play in helping the agency tell its story and bridge gaps between government and the people.
“The responsibility we are conferring upon you today goes beyond recognition,” he declared. “You are to serve as the voice, the conscience, and the reflective mirror of our aspiration for a Lagos where traffic discipline and orderliness prevail unfailingly.”
Bakare-Oki spelled out the mandate of the new Media Mayors. They are to disseminate accurate traffic information in real time, expose infractions and malpractices with fairness, partner in road safety campaigns, and provide evidence-based feedback that will help the agency refine its strategies.
He concluded with a charge: “Your duty is not only to report but to shape culture. Remind Lagosians every day that compliance with traffic regulations is both a civic duty and a societal virtue.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Awoyemi Jimmy, Director of Traffic Advocacy and Special Traffic Mayor at LASTMA, described the initiative as a symbiotic relationship. He explained that the agency needs media voices to amplify its achievements and counter negative narratives that often overshadow the progress being made.
“This is a new beginning,” Jimmy said. “We know the media has the power to shape perception. By bringing you on board, we want the public to see not just the enforcement side of LASTMA but also the reforms, the successes, and the human face of our work.”
The event was not only about speeches but also about a vision. A vision where journalists become allies in promoting order, accountability, and safety on Lagos roads, rather than just critics highlighting lapses.
Responding on behalf of the inductees, NAOSNP President, Oki O. Samson, delivered a heartfelt speech. He praised Bakare-Oki’s leadership, which he described as “transformative” and responsible for a visible shift in the attitude and conduct of LASTMA officers.
Oki recalled that in the past, LASTMA was often associated with aggressive behaviors such as touting, chasing motorists, and even physical confrontations. He cited instances where officers clashed with drivers or even security personnel, leading to embarrassing public spectacles.
“But today,” he said, “we see a calmer, more professional LASTMA. The difference is training, retraining, and reorientation. Under this leadership, the agency has evolved into a more civil and technology-driven institution.”
He further tied the reforms to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Agenda, noting that effective traffic management is central to the vision of a functional megacity. According to him, investors and residents alike deserve a traffic management system that is efficient, professional, and technology-oriented.
Oki assured that the new Media Mayors would not take their roles lightly. “We will deliver excellently,” he said with conviction. “We will support LASTMA, ensure free flow of traffic, and help create safer and more secure roads in Lagos.”
The ceremony ended with applause and goodwill messages, but the symbolism lingered. It was not just about inducting journalists; it was about rewriting the narrative of traffic management in Lagos.
For many present, the induction marked a watershed moment—an acknowledgment that managing Lagos traffic is a collective responsibility, and that the media, as watchdogs and storytellers, must now become partners in building order on the roads.
With the induction of these 12 Media Mayors, LASTMA is not just building bridges; it is laying the foundation for a new era of collaboration where governance and journalism converge in service of the people.
