By Abdul Jelil Adebayo
It has become an annual ritual on the Abuja Lokoja highway every December and this last December was not exceptional.
It is an annual ritual that in the last four months of the year, more accidents, road crashes are on the increase. And the FRSC which is saddle with reducing road crashes and fatalities has introduced new concept to manage and reduce carnage on the roads.
It is without doubt that the FRSC enlightenment campaign plays a crucial role in promoting road safety awareness and reducing accidents.
The ember months refer to the last four months of the year, which are characterized by increased road traffic movement and travels due to various festivities and holidays.
Before now during the ember months, road safety personnel go to motor parks and on the highways to enlighten and educate motorists on safe driving.
But statistics available to the FRSC, revealed that despite these measures, the figures of road crashes and fatalities are on the increase.
By this alarming figures, the Corps Marshall, Shehu Usman Mohammed directed that this time around, the enlightenment campaign should go beyond the garages and motor parks. The campaign should include, according to him, vigorous media discourse by holding press conferences by various Sector Commanders across the country.
The Corps Marshall also directed that vehicle inspection and certification should be enhanced while using social media including of course its radio station to promote road safety education and cultural enlightenment.
Shehu Mohammed therefore called on motorists across the country to prioritize safety, adhere to traffic laws and drive responsibly. He stressed that the celebration of a new beginning must not be marred by avoidable road traffic crashes arising from speed violations, drunk driving, dangerous overtaking and wilful disregard for traffic regulations.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, heaped encomium on officers and men of the Corps for their exceptional resilience, professionalism, and uncommon courage displayed during the Christmas travels across the country.
In his address to the staff, he described the performance of FRSC personnel as outstanding and historic, noting that their untiring commitment and strategic interventions were instrumental in clearing major traffic gridlocks, including the notoriously congested Lokoja axis and other critical corridors nationwide.
According to the Corps Marshal, the ability of FRSC personnel to confront intense traffic pressure, extended work hours, harsh weather conditions, and high vehicular volumes while maintaining discipline and professionalism, demonstrated the Corps’ readiness and capacity to safeguard lives, even under the most demanding circumstances.
“In addition, the personnel rose beyond the call of duty. They stood firm, worked tirelessly, and delivered results when Nigerians needed them the most. Their courage, endurance, and professionalism during the Christmas travels reaffirm FRSC’s commitment to safer roads and seamless mobility.”
Expectedly, he emphasised that the successful management of traffic flow during the festive period reflects the Corps’ growing operational efficiency, improved co-ordination, and strong leadership at all levels. He further acknowledged the sacrifices made by officers who remained on duty while others celebrated with their families, describing such dedication as the true hallmark of service and patriotism.
He therefore urged all personnel to sustain the momentum, remain vigilant, and continue to uphold the core values of the Corps as traffic volume remains high towards the New Year festivities and thereafter.
He also reassured Nigerians of FRSC’s continual resolve to ensure safer highways and hitch-free travels nationwide.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps remains committed to its statutory mandate of reducing road crashes, promoting responsible road use, and protecting lives on Nigerian roads.”
The Corps Marshal who led by example, left his cosy office environment and joined his officers on the field especially on the Lokoja corridor to ensure smooth traffic flow.
This time around the Corps besides ensuring traffic flow, also gave Motorists water to cool off the heat from the harsh weather.
As such, Motorists also applauded the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for its Free Water Campaign, describing the initiative as a thoughtful and timely intervention that brings relief and enhances safety for highway users during the Yuletide travel season.
The novel initiative, introduced by the Corps Marshal and implemented across major corridors, saw operatives distributing bottle water to motorists and passengers along major routes, helping to combat fatigue, dehydration, and stress associated with long-distance festive travels.
Speaking on the initiative, the Corps Marshal underscored its life saving intent, saying:
“Road safety goes beyond enforcement; it is about caring for the people we serve. A refreshed and alert driver is a safer driver, and if offering something as simple as water can help save lives on our roads, then it is a responsibility we must embrace.”
Far beyond a goodwill gesture, the initiative reflected the Corps Marshal’s forward thinking approach to road safety recognising that alertness, wellness, and human care are critical components of crash prevention, especially during periods of heavy vehicular movement.
Motorists and passengers alike openly applauded the gesture, describing it as thoughtful, refreshing, and unprecedented.
Many commended the FRSC for “going beyond enforcement” to genuinely care for road users, noting that the initiative boosted morale, reduced tension on the highways, and strengthened public trust in the Corps.
The water distribution exercise also served as a platform for road safety education, as FRSC personnel sensitised motorists on the dangers of speeding, fatigue driving, overloading, and reckless behaviour key contributors to road crashes during festive seasons.
The Yuletide intervention has since generated widespread public admiration and positive reactions, reinforcing FRSC’s reputation as a proactive life saving agency that places the welfare of Nigerians at the centre of its operations.
As festive travels continue nationwide, and people are coming back to their base to resume work, the Corps reassured Nigerians of its commitment to ensuring safer roads, safer journeys, and a safer Nigeria, while urging all motorists to remain patient, alert, and law abiding.
The Corps Marshal noted that experience has shown that the New Year period often comes with increased vehicular movement, fatigue-induced driving and reckless road use, which collectively heighten crash risks.
He therefore urged drivers to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, obey speed limits, avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and pay full attention to the road at all times. He also advised travellers to plan their journeys properly, take adequate rest, and cooperate with traffic and safety agencies deployed nationwide.
He therefore explained that road safety is a shared responsibility, he appealed to all road users to make safety-conscious decisions that will guarantee the protection of lives and property as the nation stepped into the New Year.
Indeed, the pragmatic Corps Marshal deserves an applause for changing the narrative for hitch free yuletide celebration.
*Abdul is Abuja based journalist wrote in via abduljelil2001@gmail.com