By CHARLES IWUOHA, Enugu

No fewer than 121 road marshals drawn from various states and the FCT in the country have been converted to officers by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

The converted officers included a Medical Doctor, 33 Engineers and 87 others having various degrees from diverse disciplines and works of life.

Addressing the newly converted officers during their passing out parade at FRSC Academy, Udi in Enugu State on Thursday, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, tasked the officers to display discipline and commitment to duty.

Oyeyemi, who was represented by the FRSC Deputy Corps Marshal in-charge of Training, Mr. Shehu Zaki, noted that he was satisfied that the cadets, while in training, were determined to learn and imbibe the necessary regimentation of the corps.

“FRSC has made Nigeria proud as the lead agency for traffic management in Africa; and for us to sustain this enviable height our officers from inception must be well-cultured and dedicated to saving lives on our roads.

“The Corps core pursuit is to build an organisation that is world class and ready to transform road safety management and operation not only in the country but in Africa and the world in general,” he said.

The corps marshal, however, urged the new officers to handle stress and unruly behaviour by the motoring public with professionalism and maturity.

“You must display comportment, courtesy and commitment, while interacting with road users and teaching them to do the right things and imbibe positive road habits.

“Again, you must be diligent to all your assignments and pay due allegiance to constitute regimental and civil authorities,” he noted.

Earlier, the Commandant of the Academy, FRSC Assistant Corps Marshal, Mr. Clement Oladele, advised the new officers to put all they had learnt in the academy into practise while discharging their duties.

“The Academy has groomed you all in regimentation, learning and character; and we expect you to practically apply these exemplary qualities to all your life endeavours especially while carrying out your duty.

“I charge you to be fair, disciplined and carry out your duties honestly and with the fear of God,” he said.

The best performing cadet during the conversion training, Mr Yusuf Pokyes, noted that the training had been herculean but he and his course mates were resolute to go through it.

Pokyes said: “I thank the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, for the rare opportunity given to us to be converted.

“We are assuring him and the entire corps that we will keep working hard and being good ambassadors of the corps no matter where we are posted to serve the nation as traffic management officers.”

The conversion training lasted for a month from August 5 till September 3.

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