News
Sallah: FRSC Deploys 18,000 Personnel, Vehicles …To Use Radar For Speed Tracking
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said it had deployed 18,000 personnel including regular and special marshals, 800 patrol vehicles, 60 motor bikes, 52 ambulances and six heavy duty tow trucks along critical corridors of the highways as part of plans to ensure an accident-free Sallah celebration.
The corps stated that the nationwide special patrol slated for between September 30 and October, 12, 2014, was in line with its continued drive to achieve its 2014 strategic goals of reducing road traffic crashes by 15 per cent and fatalities by 25 per cent especially during the festive season.
A statement by the Corps Education Officer, Stella Uchegbu, yesterday in Abuja, noted that the exercise was designed in view of the expected high vehicular movement during the Sallah celebration and to address the possible tendencies for road traffic regulations violations by motorists.
According to the FRSC, the special patrol which is aimed at addressing the spate of avoidable road crashes usually associated with the festive season is an all-inclusive exercise that would entail intensive patrols, prompt rescue services, strict enforcement of traffic rules and robust public enlightenment campaigns across the country.
It said, “Objectives of this special exercise include the removal of obstructions from the highways, traffic control/decongestion, public enlightenment campaigns through the distribution of safety handbills, radio and television talk shows and other forms of awareness campaign, in addition to strict enforcement of road traffic regulation.
“Infractions such as the use of cell phone while driving, overloading, wrongful overtaking, lane violation, dangerous driving, drink driving, obstruction and other road vices will form part of the patrol thrust while the Corps’ operatives will equally check speed limit violation through the use of radar guns.”
Aside from massive deployment of personnel and logistics along designated corridors and black spots, the FRSC explained that it would also utilize its ‘9 Help Areas’ along Hawa Kibo, Akwanga, Gwagwalada, Lokoja, Ore, Egbeda, Mowe, Oghere and Kakau highways, in addition to the establishment of mobile courts at specific locations across the country for quick dispensation with road traffic offences.
Speaking on the Sallah special patrol, the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi said that the nationwide exercise is part of the Corps’ sustained efforts to build on its ‘Ember months’ campaigns which, he said would be sustained throughout the end of the year to mitigate road crashes during the yuletide season.
He added that the agency has a consistent tradition of enforcing traffic rules and regulations throughout the year to avoid a one-off approach to road safety management in the country.
Commenting on speed limit violation, Oyeyemi said, “Our findings indicate that speed limit violations remain a prevalent factor on road traffic crashes, accounting for 39 per cent of road crashes recorded nationwide between January to August 2014. Out of all causative factors, speed violation, dangerous driving and loss of control which are speed-related, contribute to most crashes on our roads.
“This scenario informed a recent resolution after a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja to commence a nationwide enforcement of the compulsory use of speed limiters in all vehicles from June 1, 2015, with commercial vehicles forming part of the phase one of this proposed enforcement.”
The Corps Marshal also said that various forms of advocacy programmes have been initiated by the Corps to create robust nationwide awareness on the speed limiters which has been approved by the Standards Organization of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Ota, Ogun, said that it would use the radar gun device to detect speeding by motorists during the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah festival.
The Ota Unit Command of FRSC, Mr Sunday Omafu, said yesterday that the device would curtail the excesses of drivers and reduce road crashes.
“The motorists should desist from excessive speeding during the Sallah festival because they would be caught by the device,” Omafu said.
He said that the command would be on alert to carry out necessary rescue and enforcement during the period.
Omafu said that anyone caught would be prosecuted according to the state traffic law, adding that motorists should be ready to drive safe.
He, however, advised the Ogun Government to formulate strict transport laws that would check motorists like the one in Lagos State.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol
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