News

Sallah: FRSC Deploys 18,000 Personnel, Vehicles …To Use Radar For Speed Tracking

Published

11 years ago

October 3, 2014

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.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor