The Convener of Sanity Multi-Efforts Forum – SMEF RC 9565689, a not-for-profit and non-political organization duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, has addressed Nigerians on what he described as “a matter of urgency, timeliness, and national interest.”
Speaking from the Secretariat in Lokoja, Ambassador Dan Olaitan Dada ‘Prince said SMEF’s intervention is not borne out of sentiment but out of constitutional duty. “Our Constitution mandates us to act. It is not just a document. It is a covenant with the Nigerian people,” he stated.
According to the CAC-certified SMEF Constitution, the Forum’s Aims and Objectives are anchored on clear principles that guide its work nationwide. The Forum is committed to promoting ethical practices and improving service delivery in health, education, environment, transport and other essential sectors, while also supporting sector-specific reforms that impact citizens directly.
In the transport sector, SMEF is mandated to improve road safety, security and infrastructure, reduce roadblocks, extortion and harassment, and advocate for policy reforms on governance and accountability. The organization also exists to support citizens facing harassment or extortion, conduct community outreach, sensitization, and education, and provide safe platforms for citizens to share and report issues including corruption.
Furthermore, SMEF is committed to tackling corruption, extortion and abuse of power, supporting anti-corruption agencies such as ICPC and EFCC, promoting accountability in governance, and protecting whistleblowers. The Forum also collaborates with Government, NGOs, CSOs and the Private Sector to provide training for citizens and officials, foster innovation in governance and transport, and promote transparency in taxation and public spending. All these are geared toward reforms that improve livelihoods and ensure that policies translate into better welfare for Nigerians across health, education and the economy.
“This is the ground upon which SMEF stands. This is why we speak,” the Convener noted.
The statement decried the daily realities faced by Nigerians from dawn, noting that across the country, members and citizens are extorted, harassed, and intimidated from 6am on highways, markets and motor parks. Illegal taskforce mount roadblocks and fake levies are collected in the name of union tickets and permits.
He argued that delaying response until later in the day defeats the purpose of advocacy. “To wait until night to discuss it, to wait until it trends, or to label it ‘non-forum business’ is to betray the very purpose of representation. Sanity demands proactiveness, not reaction. When a commercial driver loses his daily income at dawn, addressing it at dusk is already too late. The damage is done.”
Through its flagship program Road Sanity Watch, SMEF reaffirmed its commitment to deliver on its constitutional mandate. The Forum will engage in real-time documentation and early alerts in partnership with media, CSOs and community monitors to ensure leadership, the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, NSCDC, FRSC, and other relevant security agencies can act immediately. It will also provide toll-free and digital platforms for victims of extortion and harassment to report safely, in line with its duty to support citizens and protect whistleblowers.
On policy, SMEF will continue to support the Nigeria Tax Reform Act 2025, the JRB Communique, and State Internal Revenue Services to abolish illegal cash collection, multiple taxation and parallel levies. The Forum will also work with the NRS, JTB, Federal Ministry of Transportation, State Ministries of Transport, Traffic Management Agencies nationwide, NGOs, and the Private Sector to foster innovation, transparency and professionalism in transport and governance, while conducting sensitization across markets, parks and schools on rights, lawful conduct and ethical practices in line with its mandate on health, education and environment.
To institutionalize timely response, SMEF proposed the establishment of a Daily Briefing Window from 8am to 9am for urgent member and citizen alerts, a Weekly Policy Review every Friday to address systemic issues and track government action, and a Joint Technical Protocol between Civil Society, Government and Security Agencies to ensure “morning issues get morning solutions.”
“Nigeria cannot afford delayed justice. The fight against illegality, extortion and corruption must begin the moment it happens. What affects us in the morning must be treated in the morning. Silence in the morning becomes conspiracy by night. SMEF will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated. We choose to stand with the people. We choose Truth. We choose Law. We choose Sanity. Sanity Must Be It – on our roads, in our governance, and in our nation,” the Convener concluded.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Sanity Multi-Efforts Forum – SMEF RC 9565689
Headquarters: No. 64, IBB Way, Opp. Moremi House, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
Email: sanitymultieffortsforum@gmail.com
Tel: 08111963351, 08131331188, 08022299952, 08122299952
