- As Asagba of Asaba Joins Elite Corps
BY PATRICK MGBODO/CHIKA KWAMBA
THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), today, emphasised the role of traditional institutions in advancing its mandate of safeguarding lives and reducing traffic fatalities.
This was demonstrated by the Corps Marshal of the Corps, Shehu Mohammed, at the investiture of the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof) Epiphany Azinge SAN, as an Honorary Special Marshal of the FRSC.
While declaring that closer collaboration with traditional rulers remained critical to promoting road safety, the Corps Marshal commended the synergy between the FRSC and the Asagba of Asaba, describing it as a shining example of how traditional leadership can complement institutional mandates for the collective good of society.
‘’This investiture, therefore, serves not only as a recognition of worthy leadership, but as a tribute to demonstrated partnership, goodwill and sustained cooperation.
‘’Through this honour, we reaffirm our confidence that Your Royal Majesty’s voice, influence and example will continue to inspire safety, consciousness and respect for constituted authority, and active participation in nation-building efforts’’, he said.
Addressing journalists, Mohammed added, ‘’We believe that the traditional institutions are also very critical to our saving lives because they are the leaders, fathers of the nation.
‘’We felt that if we are with them and they propagate, sensitise and educate, people will hear them and they will continue obeying traffic rules and regulations,’’ he said.
In his response, the monarch thanked the FRSC for the investiture, commending the Corps Marshal for partnering with the traditional institutions in fostering unity, engendering good governance and promoting road safety, among its other mandates.
‘’Our roads are not too friendly in our clime, we must say it. This makes your (FRSC) work even more daunting. There is much to be done as far as the roads are concerned.
‘’This is why I say that your people make numerous sacrifices outside the call of duty to ensure that the carnages we witness are reduced to the barest minimum, if not eliminated.
‘’So, the badge of the Honorary Special Marshal, which I wear today, is one that I attach a lot of importance to. It is not just, for me, a title; it is also an additional call to service because you never know who the next victim may be.
‘’Therefore, together and collectively, we are all invited to try as much as possible to reduce the number of incidents and accidents on our highways. This is what your mandate commands, and that is also what we are invited to join in trying to reduce road crashes’’ he said.
Earlier, the Zonal Commanding Officer (Benin), Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Joseph Toby, noted that the commitment of HRM Azinge to community development and collaboration with constituted authorities continues to strengthen collective efforts in promoting safer roads.
The high point of the event was the investiture, decoration and presentation of an award to HRM Azinge by the Corps Marshal of the FRSC.
