society
NArSAC and the gains of streamlining road safety administration in tandem with global expectations: The Shehu Mohammed perspective
NArSAC and the gains of streamlining road safety administration in tandem with global expectations: The Shehu Mohammed perspective
Time and time about, the Federal Road Safety Corps has proven to be capable of delivering on its corporate mandate. From the leadership of the ISO certified public service agency, to its operatives, the Corps has continued to show that it has all it takes to make the nation’s highways safe for all to use.
Today, I join the entire community of road users in celebration of another giant leap achieved towards attaining the goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on reducing road traffic fatalities by 50% by year 2030. A feat that has in all areas portrayed a demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
This giant strides speak volume of the administrative prowess of the present Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, who against all odds has continued to make indelible marks in the sand of time. The Corps Marshal has shown that it is indeed possible to achieve anything you set before you to achieve. He has unraveled the mystery behind the wheel of progress and made bold statements in the realisation of the corporate mandate of the Corps.
Recall that in an epoch making event of streamlining road safety management in Nigeria with global expectations, the entire nation witnessed with great deal of excitement, the official inauguration of Members of the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NaRSAC) by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. This inauguration formally unveils the responsibility of NaRSAC as encapsulated in the already developed plans of the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy document II (2021-2030).
To most of us that do not understand how important this feat is to the transportation sector, I owe you a duty of explanation. To begin with, the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NaRSAC), is the highest critical governance structure saddled with the task of implementing the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy (2021-2030) document. Part of its responsibility is to give strategic policy direction and coordination to the other administrative organs like the Technical Working Group (TWG) and the States’ Road Safety Advisory Councils (SaRSAC). The membership of the Technical Working Group (TWG) is drawn from the FRSC and the State Governments States Motor Vehicle Administrators constituting State Traffic Management Agencies and Vehicle Inspection Offices. Other members of the TWG are the Police; relevant MDAs, Professional Associations, Women Union and the Media.
The NaRSAC itself is headed by His Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Membership is drawn from Six Governors, with one representing each of the six geo political zones;. Other members are Honourable Ministers in critical Ministries of Transport, Works, Health, Justice, Education, Finance, Environment, Police Affairs, Interior, Budget and Economic Planning, Federal Capital Territory, Information, Labour and Productivity. NaRSAC also have membership drawn from the National Security Adviser; Presidents of, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Nigerian Society of Engineers; The Chairman, Federal Road Safety Commission. The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps who serves as Member/Secretary.
The Advisory Council’s major responsibilities include meeting the National Road Safety Strategy target(s), effective co-ordination of the Federal, States and Local Governments to ensure that expected targets are achieved, anchor the implementation of the NRSS, as well as ensure adequate evaluation of outcomes of national road safety initiatives. They are to further ensure the development of a funding plan for strategic initiatives, source funding for implementation of strategic initiatives, plan out the disbursement of pre-approved funds, monitoring the disbursement of funds and review monitoring and evaluation reports. The Council may also perform other strategic functions as it deems fit to enhance round the clock road safety administration in Nigeria.
Let me carefully elaborate more on the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) document to bring to bare, a clearer understanding of the document being the catalyst that will drive the initiative to a joyful realisation. This NRSS document is simply the nation’s response to the call for safe use of the road. The document provides a clear direction towards achieving the vision for road safety, using the globally accepted Safe System Approach for managing road safety. The document speaks volume of the growing national consciousness on issues of road safety, the spirit of collective responsibility and determination to reduce the level of Road Traffic Crashes and ensure that neither deaths nor serious injuries result from these crashes.
In addition to the afore stated facts, the document portrays the vision of a country where Road Traffic Crash results in no death. It also seems to achieve reduction in road traffic crash fatality rate by 50% by the year 2030. This document is a very important, proactive and timely intervention which supports the process of entrenching the culture of safe use of Nigerian highways, the impact of which includes better quality of life for citizens and the socio-economic growth of the nation as a whole.
The NRSS document recognises that road safety is multi – faceted and therefore outlines the responsibilities of various tiers of governments and NGOs, seeking to harmonise the different road safety efforts by emphasising the vision, goal, purpose, output, outcomes as well as the initiatives for road safety management in Nigeria. The NRSS, when fully implemented, is envisioned to transform Nigeria into a country where road traffic crashes result in zero death. It also projects a goal of 50% reduction in road traffic crash fatality rate by year 2030, in line with the SDG goals.
Part of the positives of this development is that it will enhance stakeholder engagement, spur the need for sustained funding, Promote sustainable transportation modes, provoke effective enforcement and infrastructure development, as well as speed up aggressive public awareness and education.
To add verisimilitude, since the document made provision for cascading the initiative to other tiers of government, State Governments must as a matter of urgency and necessity begin to establish and inaugurate the State Road Safety Advisory Council (SaRSAC). To that end, Deputy Governors who are the Chairmen of this initiative in their respective states should torr the line of the Vice President to enable Nigeria collectively achieve the goals of the NRSS and ultimately attain the aspirations of the SDG Goals.
-Deputy Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem (Rtd), fsi, anipr FISPON, a veteran road safety professional and a public relations expert, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
Alleged Manipulation of Defilement Case Sparks Call for Review of Legal Advice in Lagos
By Ifeoma Ikem
A legal controversy has emerged in Lagos following a petition seeking a review of a legal advice issued in a case involving two female teachers accused of negligence in a child injury incident at a nursery school in Ikorodu.
The petition, submitted by Crown Cannan Attorneys, urges the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to reconsider the legal advice issued on September 16, 2022, in the case titled Commissioner of Police vs. Ambassador Rukayat Tobiloba and Rukayat Lawal.
Addressed to the former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, the application argues that the legal advice may have been influenced by what the petition describes as a “deliberate manipulation of facts.”
According to counsel representing the defendants, the allegations stem from an incident that allegedly occurred on October 26, 2021, at Great Kezino Nursery and Primary School located in the Adamo area of Ikorodu, Lagos.
The defendants, Ambassador Rukayat Tobiloba, 26, and Rukayat Lawal, 24, were reportedly the class teacher and assistant class teacher respectively in charge of a Nursery One class where the incident occurred.
Court documents indicate that a three-year-old pupil, identified as Victim A, was reportedly injured after another pupil allegedly pierced a pencil into her private part during school hours.
The prosecution claims the incident occurred due to the failure of the teachers to exercise adequate care and supervision over the children under their custody.
Based on this allegation, the two educators were charged with negligence under Section 252 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which addresses acts that may cause harm through lack of proper care.
The defendants were subsequently arraigned before Magistrate Court No. 2 in Ikeja on April 19, 2022, where they faced a one-count charge relating to the incident.
During the investigation conducted at the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja, several civil society groups reportedly monitored the proceedings.
Among them were representatives of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) and other non-governmental organizations.
These groups reportedly raised concerns about what they described as a growing tendency to weaponise allegations of child abuse in ways that could unfairly damage reputations and careers.
In its petition, the defence team argued that the case deserves a fresh review to ensure that justice is served based on verified facts rather than assumptions or public pressure.
They urged the Ministry of Justice to carefully reassess the legal advice and the circumstances surrounding the investigation to determine whether the prosecution should proceed as currently framed.
Legal observers say the outcome of the requested review could determine the next stage of the case and may also highlight broader concerns about investigative procedures and child protection cases within the justice system.
Reacting to a viral social media post by Ambassador Rukayat Tobiloba, who claimed she might be jailed for defilement, the head teacher of Great Kezino Nursery and Primary School, Mrs. Edaolaropin Toyin, provided the school’s account of events.
According to her, the pupil identified as Victim A was enrolled in the Nursery One class on September 20, 2021, which had about 15 pupils.
She explained that on October 26, 2021, the pupil was transported home on the school bus after closing hours and handed over to her father around 4:30 p.m.
“Later that night, the pupil’s mother allegedly contacted the head teacher, claiming her daughter cried while bathing and alleged that a male classmate, Victim B, had inserted a pencil into her private part during school hours,” she said.
The school, however, rejected the allegation, maintaining that no such incident occurred while the child was in its custody.
“The following morning, the teacher visited the pupil’s home, where the father reportedly denied the mother’s account of the incident,” Toyin added.
She said the situation escalated later that day when the child’s parents arrived at the school with police officers from Imota Police Station demanding that the alleged male classmate be produced.
The head teacher further stated that the school management had supported Tobiloba throughout the legal process.
“Since the incident happened, the school management has never stopped supporting Tobiloba’s welfare until last year when she sent a WhatsApp message saying she was no longer interested in the court matter, claiming she had relocated to Ibadan,” she said.
She described the claims currently circulating on social media as “defamatory narratives.”
*GEN CG MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE MOURNS FALLEN HEROES AND URGES UNITY IN SECURITY SUPPORT
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative (GCGMSI) expresses its heartfelt condolences to His Excellency Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Grand Patron of the Initiative, and the families of the fallen heroes who courageously lost their lives in a recent attack by ISWAP in Konduga, Marte, Jakana, and Dalori in Borno State, northeast Nigeria. Among the tragic losses were three senior military commanders: Major U.I. Mairiga, Lt-Col Umar Faruq, and Lt-Col S.I. Iliyasu, who dedicated their lives to the service of our nation.
The GCGMSI implores the public to continue supporting our security agencies, emphasizing that the safety and security of our nation is a collective responsibility. Every day, our security forces pay the ultimate price to safeguard our country. We urge the public to remain supportive, pray for their success, and refrain from politicizing the security challenges we face.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Convener, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, which has been made available to the press. The statement highlights the initiative’s profound concern for the losses sustained by our security personnel and reflects on the broader security situation in Nigeria.
In his unwavering commitment to addressing the insecurity plaguing our nation, the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, has consistently engaged in urgent meetings with service chiefs, reinforcing strategic plans to combat threats and enhance national security. His leadership and decisive actions demonstrate a dedication to restoring peace and stability across our regions, ensuring a safer environment for all Nigerians.
society
SECURITY IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY: BACKING OUR MINISTER OF DEFENCE GEN. CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA OFR
SECURITY IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY: BACKING OUR MINISTER OF DEFENCE GEN. CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA OFR
By Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani
In these challenging times, it is essential for all Nigerians to rally behind our leaders, particularly His Excellency Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, the Minister of Defence. The security of our nation is not a matter to be taken lightly or politicized. Gen. Musa, recognized for his unwavering dedication and sacrifice, has served our country commendably throughout his life.
Following the recent reshuffle of service chiefs by President Asiwaju Bola Ahamed Tinubu GCFR, which resulted in Gen. Musa’s retirement as Chief of Defence Staff, many voiced their concerns. Yet, upon his appointment as Minister of Defence, there was a renewed sense of hope among the populace. Gen. Musa has embraced his role with an unwavering commitment, often sacrificing his rest to ensure the safety and security of our great nation.
While it is undeniable that Nigeria faces security challenges, we must approach these issues with unity rather than division. It is crucial to recognize that those who politicize our national security are often those who have not contributed positively to the success of our security agencies. Instead of spreading negativity, we should support Gen. Musa in his mission to restore peace and stability.
To achieve our collective goal of a secure Nigeria, we must provide Gen. Musa with the trust he deserves. His vision and determination, paired with our support and prayers, can pave the way to overcoming the challenges we face. It’s time for every Nigerian to put aside political differences and work together for the common good. Let us have faith in our leaders and trust in Gen. Musa’s ability to steer our nation towards safety and security.
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