…As Chika Chukwumerinje, 2 other Nigerians are inducted as Special Marshals
The FCT Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, RS 7.1 FCT Sector Command’s Special Marshals have held their 2021 Sectoral Workshop in Abuja on Saturday 20th of November, 2021. The venue of the event was the National Universities Commission (NUC) Auditorium in Maitama District of the FCT.
The 2021 Sectoral workshop had the theme, “Volunteerism Beyond Ember Months: The Role of Special Marshals in Combating Road Traffic Crashes”.
Speaking at the event, RS7 Headquarters Zonal Commanding Officer, ACM Jonas Agwu reminisced on the early days of the Sector’s Special Marshals with the National Coordinator Dr. John Ugebor from Zone 7 FCT and Niger State to Zone 6 which covers Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states where their parts crossed again.
Mr. Agwu said while doing a write up for his regular Saturday Column, he stumbled upon a comment made somewhere on the topic, “Road Crash Is Not an Accident”, and that the commentator asked a question, which he was going to ask the Special Marshals. He said each one of the Special Marshals should ponder and ask themselves and do a self-examination of their role as Special Marshals and tell themselves how truthful they have been as Volunteers.
He asked how they would feel if after this Sectoral Workshop, while they are relaxing at home, there is a knock on the door and the person says to you, there has been an accident involving someone you love, how would you feel?
He said because, some observers say that accidents are things you cannot prevent but Road Crashes are avoidable.
Mr. Agwu said on the 16th of November, along the Mokwa – Jeba Road, there was a lone crash in which 11 people were killed. He said again on the 18th of November, three days after the Mokwa Crash, there was another crash, a multiple crash that killed 9 people. He noted that in 2 days, 2 crashes claimed the lives of 20 Nigerians in Niger State.
He said here in the FCT, under the Apo Bridge, a Civil Defense Staff who chose not to use the Pedestrian Bridge to cross but attempted to cross the express not knowing that at that particular time, some other Driver was over taking and that she had almost completed crossing when she was knocked down by that driver. He said she died on the spot while the lady that was in the front seat of the vehicle, because she did not have her seat belt on, sustained serious injuries. He said these are things they are meant to prevent as an agency.
He said the crash in the FCT throws open two challenges, namely, Pedestrian Safety and how far the use of seat belts by adults and child restrains by children has remained effective and sustained in the FCT and Niger State.
Agwu said as Zonal Commander, he commanded the FCT and Niger State. He noted that, the two crashes in Niger were caused by speed violation and wrongful overtaking. He recalled that, in the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s), Annual Report on Traffic Injury, three critical infractions were identified, namely, Speed Violation, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol and the non use of seat belts. He said that the WHO report said any country that focuses on these three critical sectors will be able to make appreciable impact in addressing the crash trend.
Concluding, ACM Jonas Agwu said as Zonal Commanding Officer, working with the Special Marshals and Volunteers, he was hoping that after the Sectoral Workshop, when they would have done a post Morten of activities of the 2021 Workshop, that redressing excessive speed in the FCT and Niger State, cutting down on driving under the influence, which he noted was more pronounced in the FCT because of the prevalence of Launges and Nite Clubs and non use of seat belts and child restrains, will form the focus of their campaign in 2022.
The Keynote address of the Corp Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, was delivered by his representative, ACM AB Datsama, who said that, the Corps Marshal was elated to welcome the Special Marshals to the 2021 RS 7.1 FCT Special Marshals Sectoral Workshop with the theme, Volunteerism Beyond Ember Months; The Role of Special Marshals in Combating Traffic Crashes and the Investiture of some prominent personalities as Honourary Special Marshals.
The representative of the Corp Marshal said, the Corp Marshal felicitates with all Special Marshals and sends his greetings and Goodwill, adding that he would have been physically present but for some engagements. He said he was directed by Boboye to specially appreciate and commend the uncommon zeal and commitment of the Special Marshals to the ideals of Road Safety.
He said the choice of the theme is very apt and timely as the Corps is set to embark on numerous activities towards sustaining sanity on Nigerian roads and ensure Road Traffic Crash (RTC) free Ember Months.
Engineer Chika Chukwumerinje and two distinguished Nigerians were decorated as Honorary Special Marshals honoured with awards at the 2021 Federal Road Safety Corps/Special Marshals Sectoral Workshop held in Abuja.
After the morning session and Lunch Break, the workshop went into a technical session that will produce a communique at the end.
