FRSC partners NUJ to change driving culture, reduce crashes in Nasarawa

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is partnering with the Nasarawa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to change the driving culture and reduce road crashes in the state.

Yahaya Sabo-Adikwu, Nasarawa State Sector Commander of the Corps, stated this on Friday in Lafia, when the state Executive Council members of the NUJ, led by its Chairman, Salihu Mohammed-Alkali, paid him a familiarisation visit to his office.

He explained that many motorists in the state often disregard traffic rules, and it is time to change their mindset through sensitisation and enforcement of the relevant law. 

He explained that this is a new challenge the Corps under his leadership has to deal with to change the Psyche of the motorists to know that they have to obey the traffic rules in their best interest.

"We have embarked on advocacy in Churches, Mosques, Marketplaces, Motor Parks, in addition to using the mass media for sensitisation.

"We will take the advocacy to the traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, motorists, unions and other stakeholders in all the 13 Local Government Areas of the state," the Sector Commander added.

Sabo-Adikwu further said that for the first time, the commission would celebrate and reward drivers who had behaved well and always obeyed traffic rules in an elaborate occasion.

He promised that he would make sure that those who qualify for the recognition are handsomely rewarded in cash and kind to encourage others to behave well.

"Drivers, whether those with private or public, always receive bashing from their bosses, security agencies or the passengers for one thing or the other, and nobody cares to celebrate them for doing good.

"We will change the narrative to let the public know that driving is a noble profession and not just for thugs or irresponsible people," the Sector Commander added 

Sabo-Adikwu said that driving has been looked at as a profession for well-to-do people because nobody celebrates them.

He added that drivers are playing an important role in society and must be given the recognition they deserve to encourage them to know that life is precious and they need to obey traffic rules and stay to enjoy life.

He said if they are celebrated and rewarded for doing good and obeying traffic rules, most of them would desist from taking drugs and other substances that influence their behaviour negatively.

The Sector Commander said that he is working on the drivers' awards ceremony in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Government, Traditional Council, and other stakeholders to be held publicly.

He also assured NUJ of his intention to work closely with journalists in the state to change the Psyche of motorists to transform driving culture and celebrate those who have distinguished themselves in the course of their driving career. 

Earlier, Salihu Mohammed-Alkali, NUJ Chairman, congratulated Sabo-Adikwu as the first indigenous Sector Commander to lead FRSC in the state.

NUJ Chairman assured him that journalists in the state would support the Corps and publicise its activities towards ensuring the reduction of crashes in the state. (NAN).