The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety, Shehu Mohammed, has called for a unified approach to tackle the high incidence of road accidents in Nigeria, especially during the ’ember months’.
Launching an intensified safety campaign, Mohammed stressed the importance of cooperation from all sectors of society, underscoring that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
At a two-day workshop for FRSC management staff in Abuja on Tuesday, Mohammed noted that road accidents are the leading cause of death among young people globally and in Nigeria.
He stressed that, as Africa’s most populous youth demographic, Nigeria stands to suffer immeasurable losses if road safety doesn’t improve.
“The number one cause of death in youth is road traffic crashes. If we do not work together to reduce these incidents, we jeopardise our future. Every stakeholder—whether government official, vehicle manufacturer, engineer, or road user—has a role to play in making our roads safer,” he said.
The campaign, with the theme “Retooling FRSC for Organisational Effectiveness from Policy Formulation to Strategic Implementation,” focuses on multiple fronts: from stricter law enforcement to improving public awareness.
The FRSC Public Education Officer, ACM Olusegun Ogungbemide, explained that this year’s campaign is unique in its emphasis on passenger rights, empowering them to voice concerns about reckless driving.
“This year’s campaign is unique. We are focusing not only on educating drivers but also on informing passengers of their rights and encouraging them to speak up against reckless driving”, Ogungbemide said.
The FRSC’s approach this season also involves expanded outreach efforts beyond traditional methods like motor park visits.
With a lineup of mega town hall meetings, motorcades, and transit camp stops across Nigeria, the Corps aims to engage road users more directly and foster a safety-first culture.
Read the full article here
