As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to observe this year’s Easter celebration, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has called for deep reflection by Christian faithful on the need to show love to one another and others especially while using the roads.

According to Bisi Kazeem, Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC, the Corps Marshal gave the admonition in his Easter message in which he congratulated the Christians on the celebration, enjoining them to take the advantage of the spiritual benefits of the season which he said go beyond mere merriment.

Oyeyemi described the traffic chaos that is normally experienced during the period as uncalled for, saying it shows lack of consideration and love for one another by motorists, acts that contradict the spirituality of the period. He further stated that if all motorists show equal love and care for one another as Jesus Christ did when he sacrificed his life for the salvation of humanity, there would have been no need for the mindlessness and gridlocks that characterise the annual celebration.

He called for attitudinal change by people through deliberate commitment to safety of lives and property on the nation’s highways, saying it’s only through such self discipline and regulation that the much expected safer road environments can be guaranteed. “I wish to seize the opportunity of the Easter celebration to call for deep reflection by people on the need for attitudinal change towards road safety and collective campaign against the menace of road traffic crashes in the country,” the Corps Marshal stated.

Speaking on the measures put in place by the FRSC to ensure safer and peaceful Easter celebrations, Oyeyemi reiterated that adequate numbers of personnel and logistics have been mobilised to cover all roads across the country with particular attention to the identified corridors where movement of traffic is expected to be higher during the celebration. He urged motorists to drive with care; obey all traffic rules and regulations; avoid distractions through the use of phone while driving and ensure that all front and back seat passengers as well as children are properly belted up while on motion.

The Corps Marshal specially thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the immense support being given to the FRSC, especially with massive injection of patrol logistics. This, he said, has enhanced the operational capabilities of the Corps and created opportunity for the establishment of more unit commands and outposts across the country which will take effect soon following the last commissioning of 74 patrol vehicles and 3 ambulances provided to the Corps by the administration. “All these would no doubt, go a long way in making our efforts at creating safer road environment in the country possible,” Oyeyemi said.

He solicited the cooperation of members of the public and called on them to promptly report road emergencies to the FRSC toll free line: 122, assuring that the call centre and other facilities of the Corps would be open and remain functional during the celebration and beyond. While wishing everyone happy celebration, Oyeyemi enjoined motorists to drive to stay alive, saying that it is only the living that can celebrate.

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