“There is a need to bring to the knowledge of the children the importance of safety in their contemporary world”

… Says ACC Emma Fekoya (FRSC Ikeja Unit Commander)

The FRSC Ikeja Unit Command RS.2.16 in conjunction with the Special Marshals marked the 2019 Edition of Children’s Day in a grand styles, as it is done everywhere in the world on every 27th day of May; a day set aside to celebrate Children.

Parents were charged to set the mindset of every child to safety as it is a vital tool for growth.

Part of the core mandate of FRSC is to create a safe motoring environment to the general Nigerians, the Corp actually takes delight in keeping the children safe in traffic situations, stating that children are leaders of tomorrow and for that reason must be nurtured and impact the culture of “doing it right” which is a virtue a nation needs to develop and stand tall amongst other nations.

Addressing the Children, the Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Ikeja Unit Command RS. 2.16, ACC Emma Fekoya, said that there is a need to bring to the knowledge of the children the importance of safety in their contemporary world particularly in Nigeria. According to her, It is very obvious that adults have consistently failed to demonstrate the good motoring habit that is expected of them.

She also applauded the Corps for going extra mile in ensuring that Road Safety is studied in schools so that “our children will be safety conscious and imbibe the good motoring habit which will help to reduce crashes on our roads.”

Giving a Keynote Address, the National Spokes Person and Chairman, Lagos Chapter of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, Engr. Timothy C. Iwuagwu, said that considering this year’s ‘Children’s Day’ parents and teachers need to be commended for the vital roles they play in making sure that safety starts from home to school where they are molded to become the person they ought to be.

He said that: “Family is a unit in a country and children are part of the unit; and as a matter of fact they must exhibit some good characters, applying safety in all they do because they are the future of tomorrow.”

Engnr. Iwuagwu also congratulated the FRSC and the Special Marshals for creating the Road Safety Club for school children where the practice of safety is further extended and he hopes that “by the next 5 to 6 years, they will tell more about safety to their fellows, colleagues and friends and by so doing they are impacting the society with what was given.”
In a Good-will Message, the Unit Coordinator of the Special Marshals, Ikeja Unit, S. Olapitan; pleaded with the children to take good advises from their parents as it will help them live longer and that the children too should advise their parents when they are committing traffic fouls like making calls while driving; not putting on seat belts and others. Children should not take any advice from who may want them to drive under-age.
Advising the kids, the Vice Chairman, Ikeja Local Government, Hon. Yomi Mayungbe, who represented the LGA Chairman, thanked the organizers for bringing the traffic rules and safety education to the knowledge of pupils/students.

He also advised children to adhere to instructions because that is the only safety tool they have to excel in life because it helps shape your vision and helps you to abstain from social vices.

“As we mark this year’s Children’s Day in grand style, we also pray that God should give our children more years to celebrate, protect them from all harmful activities.”

“We also thank the Ikeja FRSC for always being there to making sure that safety is assured at all cost as it is part of the strategic goals of the FRSC,” he concluded.

• Report by: Cliffsimeon Akalonu