The Spiritual Leader and Founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has undertaken a momentous courtesy visitation to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Thursday, 12th of February, 2026, during which he delivered an effusive commendation of the Agencyās unwavering dedication to traffic governance and the preservation of road safety across the State over the past twenty-five years.
The visit, imbued with profound symbolism, coincides with the silver jubilee anniversaries of both LASTMA and the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church an extraordinary convergence of milestones the revered cleric described as providential and emblematic of institutional resilience and spiritual maturation.
In his address, Primate Ayodele extolled LASTMAās institutional fortitude, operational acuity and steadfast adherence to its statutory mandate of ensuring orderliness and safeguarding commuters within the ever-dynamic Lagos metropolis. He acknowledged the transformative imprint of the Agencyās interventions in mitigating gridlock, enhancing urban mobility and consolidating public confidence in structured traffic administration.
The Primate paid glowing tribute to the gallantry, resilience and self-abnegating sacrifices of LASTMA personnel, who, he observed, execute their duties under the most exacting environmental conditions whether amid torrential downpours or beneath the relentless blaze of the tropical sun to guarantee the seamless flow of vehicular movement throughout the State. He further recognized the quotidian perils and multifaceted challenges officers confront in responding to emergencies, dispersing congestion and restoring equilibrium on major corridors.
āThe men and women of LASTMA,ā he affirmed.
“epitomize courage, discipline and patriotic devotion. Their presence on our highways transcends routine administration; it represents sacrifice in service of the collective good.ā
Capitalizing on the solemnity of the occasion, Primate Ayodele issued a fervent appeal for enhanced religious tolerance, mutual respect and harmonious coexistence among faith communities nationwide. In a compelling demonstration of interfaith solidarity, he disclosed plans for the imminent commissioning of a mosque an initiative he described as a tangible testament to unity, inclusiveness and reverence for religious diversity.
He equally admonished the motoring public to cultivate a culture of scrupulous compliance with extant traffic regulations and to demonstrate civility and cooperation toward traffic management officials. According to him, officers should be regarded not as adversaries but as indispensable partners in the quest for societal order, urban efficiency and sustainable development.
Responding on behalf of the Agency, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed profound appreciation for the visit, describing it as both honouring and morale-boosting. Represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Miss Ayeni Folake, he reaffirmed the Agencyās unwavering commitment to professionalism, inclusivity and equitable representation within its workforce of over 4,400 personnel drawn from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
āThere is no discrimination within LASTMA,ā he emphasized. āOur officers, irrespective of creed, are united by a shared ethos of integrity, discipline and selfless service.ā
The engagement culminated in renewed assurances of sustained collaboration between faith-based institutions and public agencies, anchored upon shared imperatives of civic responsibility, religious concord and the continued socio-economic advancement of Lagos State.
