Emmanuel Kehinde ilorin
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has flagged-off the ’ember’ months safety and public enlightenment campaign in Kwara South.
Our correspondent reports that the event took place in Ajase Ipo motor park in Irepodun local government area on Friday.
The FRSC RS8.19 Idofian Unit Commander, Assistant Corps Commander Yetunde Adesina in her welcome address, said the campaign was aimed at sensitizing the motoring public in order to reduce the alarming rate of Road Traffic Crashes(RTCs) and fatality which are often associated with ’ember months’.
Adeshina who gave the theme of the campaign as ‘Maintain Safe Speed, Avoid Night Travels and enjoy Quality Road Experience’ said the campaign was an extension of the 2021 ’ember’ month safety rally held in Ilorin the state capital in September.
She said the corps core mandate is to prevent and minimize road crashes by clearing obstructions on the highways and educating all road users on the proper use of the roads.
The unit commander said that ’ember months’ were not associated with evil spirits but that following safety tips was essential to having a crash free ’ember months’ period.
Adeshina advised motorists to avoid the use of second hand tyres known as ‘tokunbo’ because they were often expired before purchase.
“Ensure good working condition of Vehicles before putting them on the road, most especially brakes and other hydraulic driven systems.
“Maintain safe speed, avoid wrongful and dangerous overtaking, the use of phone while driving among other safety tips”, she said.
The Kwara Sector Commander, Corps Commander Jonathan Owoade in his address charged the participants on imbibing positive attitudinal change.
Owoade urged them to obey traffic rules and regulations adding that they were all set for the safety of road users.
He advised drivers to avoid night travels adding that the most fatal crashes occur at late hours in the night when helps were minimal.
The Olupo of Ajase Ipo, HRM Oba Ismail Muhammad while speaking appreciated the FRSC, especially the Idofian unit command for their support and ensuring road safety in area.
Muhammad appealed to road users to be safety conscious while asserting that road transportation represented the highest percentage of transportation in Nigeria.
He cautioned drivers against over speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Mr Kola Abdulazeez, a commercial driver who spoke with our reporter on the sidelines said that the programme was an eye opener.
Abdulazeez said everyone had associated the ’ember months’ with evil, adding that he understood better.
“Now I understand why there are misunderstandings associated with the last four months of the year.
“I know better now and I will ensure I do the right thing in adhering to road safety rules and regulations always.
“I appreciate the road safety team for a programme like this, we hope they do more of public enlightenment and campaigns like this”, he said.
Our correspondent , said that present at the event were the Olupo of Ajase Ipo, the Alatanda of Atanda, HRH Oba Abdulwahab Oyeyemi, the Kwara Sector Commander, representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, NURTW, RTEAN and other dignitaries.