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As Tinubu, Others Speak on Road Safety’s Significance to National Development
- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has on Wednesday revived its Annual Lecture Series after eight years break which it described as a brief hiatus.
As disclosed in a statement issue by the FRSC’s spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem, returned on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja, where both national and international figures in leadership, law, academia, security, technology, and global road safety sectors were hosted.
The theme of this year’s Lecture; “Road Safety Management and Emerging Transportation Trends: Global Partnership for Optimal Performance” is, according Bisi, both timely and forward-looking.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Special Guest of Honour, the Vice President underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to safer roads.
He called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant stakeholders to recommit themselves to the implementation of the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy.
He noted that while progress has been made, much work is still required to reduce the burden of road crashes across Nigeria.
He implored government and private sector stakeholders to pursue homegrown solutions while collaborating with global partners to ensure safer roads and sustainable transport systems.
The event was graced by ministers, legislators, senior security chiefs, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of international organisations — all affirming that road safety is not just a transport issue but a matter of national development.
Meanwhile, the keynote was delivered by Mr. Saul Billingsley, Executive Director of the FIA Foundation, London, one of the most respected global advocates for road safety and sustainable transport.
His perspectives are said to have set the tone for a multi sectoral dialogue enriched by distinguished discussants which include Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal who would be speaking on bringing the justice system’s perspective on road safety and NGOs.
In the same vein, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff would be speaking on national security and safety management while Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy would take the session on digitalization and innovation for highway safety.
Prof. Patricia Manko Lar, Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja gave a presentation on education and research in road safety while Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), President of the Nigerian Bar Association took on discussion on the role of law and professional bodies.
First instituted in 2009, the Annual Lecture Series was designed as a platform for ideas, policy direction, and sustained awareness on the menace of road crashes.
Over the years, it attracted distinguished voices, from Chief Emeka Anyaoku, CON, CFR, who spoke on “Capital Waste on Nigeria Roads”, to Prince Michael of Kent and Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy on Road Safety. These lectures inspired policy shifts and created a knowledge hub for stakeholders across sectors.
Now, after a brief hiatus, the Lecture Series was reintroduced under the visionary leadership of Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, mni, a man who, according to the statement, came to symbolise innovation, pragmatism, and unrelenting commitment to safer highways.