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Road Safety, Responsibility Of All Citizens, Danagogo Insists
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has decorated former Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo as Honorary Special Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), for his numerous contributions and support to road safety in Nigeria.
Speaking at the ceremony conducted by the Sector Commander, FRSC, Rivers State Command, Salisu Galadunci in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, Danagogo maintained that the responsibility to ensure safety and orderliness on our roads lies on the shoulders of every well-meaning Nigerian.
“I will start by thanking you for this privilege to be honoured and recognised by the Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, as one of those that should contribute to ensure sanity on our roads. I see it as an honour and also a responsibility. Thank you for the recognition.
“I don’t take things like this lightly. I am passionate about sanity, order and harmony in society, particularly in open urban spaces. It is a passion that has driven me for a long time all through my years in public service. When I see volunteers such as the Special Marshalls of the FRSC, I respect and admire them for the sacrifices they are making.
“We have a lot to do to ensure we stem the ugly trend of traffic violations. Road safety is a difficult job but I always say, we must keep working to get to the point when we get things right as individuals, corporations or government,” he said.
Danagogo recalled that as commissioner of Urban Development and Physical Planning between 2011 and 2013, he further understood the rigors of traffic and road management.
“I understand that people insult you sometimes. I have had to come down to intervene in traffic situations sometimes. The way I did my work availed me the opportunity to be on the road often because development control is on the road. If you must supervise it well, you must be out there and I used to be out there with a supervision team that encountered traffic situations often. So, I understand the rigors you pass through.”
He, however, urged the FRSC to also up their game in providing traffic guidelines and drivers licence issuance to prevent unqualified persons obtaining the licence as he wondered why persons without knowledge of traffic rules obtain drivers’ license.
“The FRSC has a lot to do too in sanitising traffic and accident control by issuing licenses to only qualified members of the public. We need to make the drivers’ license a highly priced document and not mere ID card. The way and manner of obtaining the FRSC drivers’ license should be based on acceptable standards which entails going to the driving school; learn the codes, interviewed and tested on driving. These protocols naturally discipline drivers.
“I believe that with the lessons we have learnt here from the earlier traffic management agency that was set up, the present Task Force system and even the lessons from LASMA in Lagos and the FRSC and those in road management; we will be able to forge a system that works for Port Harcourt and Rivers State. That is what I always envision and believe that in no distant future, that will happen in our state so that when you are driving on the streets of Port Harcourt and the state generally, you will be proud.
“I am very optimistic that it won’t be long that we will get it right as government, and road safety and special marshals to achieve an orderly and traffic-controlled system. Once again thank you,” he said.
In his remarks, the Sector Commander of the FRSC, Rivers State Command, Salisu Galadunci noted that the Special Marshal of the FRSC, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi personally reviewed the CV of Danagogo and approved the honorary decoration on him in recognition of his help to the promotion of road safety activities in the state.
He said, “This is an honour and celebration granted to notable citizens who are so dear to the FRSC. Since my assumption of duty and before I came, I was informed of your help to the FRSC. Personally, I recall that when we wanted to bring in the number plate mini plant, I informed you about the benefits of the plant to the state and you personally took us to the allocated centre for the plant and supported us with some logistics to bring it. Today, the centre is producing daily for the state. Every week we produce not less than one thousand plates for citizens who register their vehicles. You have made my stay here very easy.
“By this decoration, you are empowered to also control traffic and interact with other special marshals”, he said.
The State Coordinator, Special Marshal Unit, Mr. Theophilus Igbobo also noted that Danagogo was honoured with Honorary Special Marshall because of his numerous personal contributions to the FRSC.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.