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BSG MAN, others roll out new campaign on road safety

By Tobi Awodipe
13 December 2024   |   3:24 am
The Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and other stakeholders have urged road users to drive safely during the Yuletide period and beyond.
Executive Officer, Food, Beverage and Tobacco, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Elizabeth Lawal, left; Corporate Affairs and Regulatory Director, International Breweries PLC, Temitope Oguntokun; Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria, Girish Sharma; Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), (Lagos State Sector), Kehinde G. Hamzat; Chairman, Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) and CEO Nigeria Breweries, Hans Essadi; Lagos state secretary National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Usman Teslim and Executive Director, Beer Sectoral Group (BSG), Abiola Laseinde during the launch of the Annual Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign organised by BSG in Partnership with FRSC in Lagos…recently.

The Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and other stakeholders have urged road users to drive safely during the Yuletide period and beyond.

They also resolved to promote the spirit of safe driving through the ‘Don’t drink and drive’ campaign.

The campaign seeks to highlight the important role of sobriety in ensuring road safety and reducing road accidents.
They made this call at the BSG MAN “don’t drink and drive” launch campaign which was held in Lagos.

BSG, a subsector of the MAN food and beverages sector, comprises Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, and International Breweries Plc.

BSG Chair, Hans Essaadi, said the campaign is a cause that transcends industries and touches the very fabric of society.

Essaadi, who is also the Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, said promoting responsible drinking, enhancing road safety, and preventing drunk driving is essential.
He lauded the FRSC for its steadfast dedication to road safety, a commitment, he said, that aligns with the group’s shared mission of committing to meaningful social responsibility initiatives.

“Today, we reaffirm our collective commitment to promoting responsible drinking and increasing awareness of the dangers of drunk driving. Each year, countless lives are tragically lost due to accidents caused by impaired driving, entirely preventable losses. This campaign focuses on three key pillars: education, enforcement, and the encouragement of responsible behaviour,” he said.

Essaadi noted that manufacturers of alcoholic beverages recognise the critical role they play in advocating responsible consumption of their products.

According to him, the group’s message, ‘If you drink, don’t drive’, is simple yet essential.
“We believe celebrations and enjoyment should never come at the cost of lives, and we urge all Nigerians to make responsible choices, such as appointing designated drivers or utilising ride-hailing services and taxis after consuming alcohol. Our collaboration with the FRSC has been instrumental in advancing this campaign. Together, we have taken proactive steps, including donating breathalysers to support enforcement efforts, and ensuring that drivers on our roads are sober and fit to drive. This partnership exemplifies the power of public-private collaboration to create meaningful social impact,” he said.

He revealed that as part of an ongoing effort to sensitise the public about the dangers of drinking and driving, on December 11, the campaign would extend to Ojodu-Berger, Ojota, and Oshodi motor parks in Lagos.

Lagos State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Kehinde Hamzat, said the beer sector, as part of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), owed a duty to execute such a campaign.

He urged parents of driving age to shun careless driving and ensure they lived long enough to perform their role of raising their children. This, he said, is important to ensure the vision of children is preserved and make sure they do not become a menace to society.
Hamzat urged passengers to always speak up against dangerous driving, noting that crashes kill more passengers than drivers.

Lagos state secretary, NURTW, Usman Teslim, stated that the association is taking the issue seriously and pledged to deal with any driver caught drinking and driving through suspension of such an offender.

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