As the festive season approaches, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has expressed willingness to partner 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 for the Corps, which, under his leadership, must change the mindset of motorists to understand that obeying traffic rules is in their best interest.
“We have embarked on advocacy in churches, mosques, marketplaces, and 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 stated that for the first time, the commission would celebrate and reward drivers who had consistently behaved well and obeyed traffic rules at an elaborate occasion.
He promised that those who qualify for the recognition would be 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 play an important role in society and must be given the recognition they deserve, encouraging them to understand that life is precious and they need to obey traffic rules to stay safe and 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 stated that he is collaborating with the Nasarawa State Government, the Traditional Council, and other stakeholders to organise a public drivers’ awards ceremony.
He also assured the NUJ of his intention to work closely with journalists in the state to change the mindset of motorists and transform the driving culture, as well as celebrate those who have distinguished themselves in the course of their driving careers.
Earlier, Salihu Mohammed-Alkali, NUJ Chairman, congratulated Sabo-Adikwu as the first indigenous Sector Commander to lead FRSC in the state.
The NUJ Chairman assured him that journalists in the state would support the Corps and publicise its activities to ensure a reduction in crashes in the state.
