Re: You’ve outlived your relevance, Katsina SSG berates Federal Road Safety Corps - Newstrends
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Re: You’ve outlived your relevance, Katsina SSG berates Federal Road Safety Corps

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By Bisi Kazeem
The attention of the Federal Road Safety Corps has been drawn to a fabricated and fake statement credited to the Secretary to the Government of Katsina State Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, in a publication by one Agaju Madugba which was published in the Sun News of Tuesday, 24 March, 2021. The crux of the untruth, misinformation, misrepresentation of facts, and a collection of distorted report that the writer spewed to the public is that; the SSG bereted FRSC for outliving their relevance by abandoning the vision and mission of its founding fathers.
Fact is that the distortion presented that is already making the rounds in the media is a total caricature and falsification of the statement made by the SSG during a courtesy visit by the Katsina State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Ali Sule Tanimu to commiserate with him on the unfortunate fire incident that engulfed the central market, and further solicit for more patrol vehicles that will enhance patrol operations in the state.
In the course of the visit, the Sector Commander also briefed the SSG on the ongoing operation clamp down on rickety vehicles and the success so far recorded as well as suggested to the State Government to ban the use of J5 buses to convey people in the State, instead of goods which the vehicle isll originally designed to carry.
The Corps wishes to emphatically state that the SSG did not berate the FRSC in any way possible as purportedly reported in the Sun News, rather, he praised the Corps for standing tall from inception and admonished the Corps to intensify enforcement on some critical offences prevalent in the State.
For the avoidance of doubt, the highlight of the SSG’s statement during the visit that was later distorted is that he commended the operations of the Corps and stated that the FRSC has earned a lot of respect from the motoring public since inception. That he knows the corps is presently short of manpower and needs to employ more youths roaming the street so as to beef up its operational activities and strengthen its enforcement base.
However, the SSG also admonished the management of the Corps to intensify operations and enforcement on overloading of vehicles rather than deploying a huge operational muscle on arresting seat belt use violators.
He also opined that the Corps needs more fund in order to achieve its statutory mandate, he stated inter alia that; ‘I also think that the National Assembly should review the laws establishing the FRSC to see whether they can use a percentage of resources it generates through fines to fund aspects of its operations’.
From the positive submissions made by the SSG, the Corps expected the writer and the publisher to have directed their journalistic expertise into reporting the exact statements and intent of the speaker, rather than aim at, in a single publication, denting an image that took the Corps more than 3 decades to build. The Corps still wonders what the writer tends to achieve at the end of the day.
As a matter of fact, the Corps seeks to restate its commitment towards the realisation of its corporate mandate of eradicating road traffic crashes and creating a safer motoring environment in Nigeria and will not be deterred or discouraged in whatever manner from saving lives on Nigerian roads through continuous deployment of strategic initiatives that could eradicate every menace of road traffic crashes on Nigerian roads.
The Federal Road Safety is a highly dynamic, technology driven, responsible, ISO certified, and highly professional organization and pledges to remain so at all times. As such, wishes to state that it is still on course and working assiduously towards the realisation of its corporate mandate as evidenced in the drastic reduction in road traffic crashes and improved driving culture achieved through continual impactful public enlightenment campaigns of the Corps from inception to date.
On the strength of the foregoing, the Corps therefore wishes to reiterate the blazing truth that the allegations levelled against it in the distorted media publication are not true and can only be taken as false narratives deliberately orchestrated to portray the lead agency in road safety administration and traffic management in bad image as well as ridicule its tremendous achievements recorded in its 33 years of existence.
Consequently, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, enjoins members of the public to disregard the falsehood inherent in the publication and the misinformation it has created in some sections of the social and mainstream media, groups and interests. He therefore uses this medium to appreciate the media for its watchdog role and further call on journalists to always endeavour to be objective in news reportage as subjectivism, no matter how negligible it is in news reporting, could go a long way in damaging institutional images built over the years with a great deal of sacrifice, dedication, commitment and patriotism.
  • Kazeem is Corps Public Education Officer at the FRSC Hqtrs, Abuja

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Nigeria Takes Centre Stage at UN Road Safety Summit as Tinubu Delegates FRSC Corps Marshal

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Nigeria Takes Centre Stage at UN Road Safety Summit as Tinubu Delegates FRSC Corps Marshal

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to the global campaign against road traffic fatalities by appointing the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, to lead the country’s delegation to the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Improving Global Road Safety in New York, United States.

The high-level gathering at the United Nations General Assembly Headquarters has brought together Heads of State, ministers, global policymakers and road safety experts to review progress and accelerate efforts towards achieving the UN target of reducing road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 50 per cent before 2030 under the Decade of Action for Road Safety.

Representing President Tinubu at the plenary session, Shehu Mohammed delivered Nigeria’s national statement on the meeting’s theme, “Scaling Up and Accelerating Implementation of Commitments to Halving Road Traffic Deaths and Injuries by 2030.”

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to strengthen road safety governance through sustained political commitment, strategic investments, innovation and stronger international partnerships in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Corps Marshal highlighted the significant progress Nigeria has recorded in advancing road safety, noting that the Federal Government has strengthened the institutional capacity of the FRSC through strategic reforms, technology-driven enforcement systems, enhanced emergency response mechanisms and intensified public education campaigns aimed at reducing crashes and fatalities.

He also showcased Nigeria’s growing influence in road safety across Africa, citing the recent launch of the Nigeria Road Assessment Programme (NigeriaRAP) in partnership with the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP).

According to him, the initiative adopts the globally recognised Safe System Approach to improve road infrastructure safety and reduce crash risks.

Mohammed further pointed to Nigeria’s role as host of the Secretariat of the African Association of Road Safety Lead Agencies (AARSLA), describing it as a strategic platform for promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing and institutional development among road safety agencies across the continent.

On sustainable transportation, the FRSC boss told delegates that Nigeria is aligning its mobility agenda with global environmental goals through the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EVs), while developing comprehensive safety standards for heavy-duty vehicles and emerging transport technologies.

While acknowledging the progress already made, Mohammed stressed that achieving the 2030 target would require stronger international cooperation in areas such as intelligent enforcement technologies, road infrastructure safety assessments, institutional capacity development and technology transfer.

He therefore urged development partners and the international community to expand technical cooperation and support capacity-building programmes that would help countries accelerate the implementation of global road safety commitments.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s position, the Corps Marshal declared that road safety remains a national priority under President Tinubu’s administration, assuring the global community that the country would continue to collaborate with international partners to build safer roads, save more lives and contribute meaningfully to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The UN High-Level Meeting, convened by the President of the United Nations General Assembly in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), is expected to adopt a Progress Declaration that will shape global road safety actions towards meeting the 2030 target.

The meeting is also reviewing countries’ progress since the 2022 Political Declaration and the Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety held in Marrakech, Morocco, in 2025.

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Jetour Nigeria Unveils RELY R8, Rugged Luxury Pickup Built to Dominate Work, Adventure

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Jetour Nigeria Unveils RELY R8, Rugged Luxury Pickup Built to Dominate Work, Adventure

 

Jetour Nigeria has unveiled the RELY R8, a premium pickup truck designed to combine rugged performance with luxury, advanced technology and exceptional versatility, setting a new benchmark for work and recreational vehicles in Nigeria.

Engineered to thrive in the country’s demanding terrain, the RELY R8 is built for agriculture, construction, logistics, security escort operations and weekend adventures, offering the toughness of a workhorse without sacrificing the comfort and refinement of a modern SUV.

The pickup boasts high ground clearance, impressive approach and departure angles, and a reinforced chassis designed to withstand harsh road conditions while delivering excellent stability, even in strong crosswinds.

Its all-terrain capability is enhanced by multiple driving modes, allowing drivers to switch effortlessly between mud, sand and paved roads. Whether tackling heavy-duty tasks or venturing off the beaten path, the RELY R8 is built to perform with confidence.

Inside, the vehicle departs from the traditional utilitarian pickup design, featuring a spacious SUV-inspired cabin that comfortably accommodates five adults while offering a premium driving experience.

Speaking on the new model, Jetour Nigeria representative, Kemi Adeola, described the RELY R8 as a perfect blend of strength, innovation and comfort.

“The RELY R8 delivers strength, reliability and advanced technology in one vehicle. It offers the capability of a modern workhorse without compromising on premium comfort or safety,” she said.

The pickup is equipped with a high-performance processor that powers its L2+ intelligent driving assistance system. It also features a 12.3-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and remote engine start for enhanced convenience.

Safety is another major highlight of the RELY R8, with features including Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking, all designed to provide greater confidence and protection on every journey.

Jetour Nigeria has continued to strengthen its presence in the country’s automotive market, earning recognition as the Fastest Growing Auto Brand in Nigeria, while its Jetour Dashing SUV won the prestigious Car of the Year award. The company has served as the sole authorised distributor of Jetour vehicles in Nigeria since 2022.

The RELY R8 is backed by comprehensive manufacturer support, genuine spare parts and professional after-sales service through Jetour Nigeria’s network of authorised dealers, including Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era Autovehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, R.T. Briscoe Plc, TAB Autos Limited and Mandilas Motors.

Jetour Nigeria has invited prospective customers to visit any of its authorised dealerships nationwide to book a test drive and experience firsthand the RELY R8’s blend of rugged capability, cutting-edge technology and premium comfort.

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No Hiding Place for Traffic Offenders as FRSC Unleashes 12 Special Operations Nationwide

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No Hiding Place for Traffic Offenders as FRSC Unleashes 12 Special Operations Nationwide

 

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched one of the most ambitious nationwide road safety operations in its history, deploying 12 intelligence-driven, code-named special enforcement campaigns across the country’s Zonal Commands in a decisive bid to curb road crashes, crack down on traffic offenders and save lives.

The coordinated initiative, known as the Zonal Special Intervention Patrol (ZSIP), commenced on July 20, with all 12 Zonal Commands simultaneously rolling out operations specifically designed to tackle the peculiar road safety challenges within their jurisdictions.

The operations are peration Fushin Zuma (Anger of the Bee) in Kaduna, Operation Ride Safe in Bauchi, Operation Shark Smile in Port Harcourt, Operation ABO (Safe Passage) in Lagos, Operation Sauka Lafia in Abuja, Operation Kasolayo in Ilorin, Operation Kwushi Ihe Mberede in Enugu, Operation Sanity in Osogbo, Operation Total Compliance in Benin, Operation Harbin Kunama (Scorpion Sting) in Yola, Operation Hadarin Kalangu in Jos, and Operation Daidaita Loading in Zone 10.

The Corps said the coordinated intervention reflects its determination to confront the major causes of road traffic crashes through intelligence-led enforcement, aggressive public enlightenment, enhanced operational visibility, stakeholder engagement and strategic collaboration with other security agencies.

Approved by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, the Special Intervention Patrol is designed to empower each Zonal Command to tackle the unique crash patterns and traffic violations prevalent in its area of responsibility.

According to the Corps Marshal, the initiative marks a significant departure from conventional traffic enforcement, shifting instead to targeted, intelligence-based operations capable of delivering measurable results in reducing road crashes and fatalities.

He explained that each operation had been carefully crafted to address dangerous driving behaviours and recurring traffic offences responsible for avoidable deaths and injuries on Nigerian roads.

Mohammed disclosed that the operations would witness massive deployment of FRSC personnel to highways, motor parks, loading points and other critical traffic corridors across the country.

The enforcement exercise, he added, would be complemented by sustained public awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagement and close collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure effective enforcement and prompt emergency response.

He warned motorists, commercial vehicle operators and fleet owners that there would be no hiding place for traffic offenders, stressing that anyone found violating traffic regulations would face firm but professional enforcement in line with the Corps’ statutory mandate.

The Corps Marshal, however, assured law-abiding road users that the operations were not designed to harass or punish responsible motorists but to safeguard lives and property.

He urged Nigerians to cooperate with FRSC patrol teams by obeying traffic regulations, avoiding dangerous practices such as overloading, mixed loading and reckless driving, while encouraging members of the public to report unsafe road users.

Mohammed also called on transport operators to embrace voluntary compliance, noting that road safety remains a shared responsibility requiring the collective commitment of government, transport stakeholders and every road user.

Summing up the Corps’ renewed determination to reduce road carnage on Nigerian highways, he declared: “Every Zone has a mission. Every patrol has a purpose. Every operation is a commitment to saving lives.”

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