FRSC unveils magazine to boost road safety awareness

Corps Marshall, Shehu Mohammed. Credit: FRSC

Kindly share this story:

The Federal Road Safety Corps on Thursday unveiled the maiden edition of the Safe Wheel Nigeria magazine, a publication dedicated to enhancing road safety awareness and driving Nigeria’s economic development.

The event, themed “Renewed Hope for Safer Roads: Driving Safety and Logistics as Catalysts for Economic Development,” brought together key figures from various sectors to highlight the importance of road safety and mobility in the country’s growth.

The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, emphasised the central role of road safety in national economic progress, noting that mobility is critical for economic sustenance globally.

“Indeed, as you are all aware, mobility is a major factor for economic sustenance in any nation. And therefore, with mobility accounting for almost 80 per cent globally, the safety of every journey must reflect our collective aspiration for national development. Certainly, Nigeria stands at the centre of that renewed hope,” he said.

Mohammed also discussed ongoing initiatives, including the Road Traffic Operations Campaign, designed to ensure the safety of travellers during the busy festive period.

“We have enhanced our intelligence-driven patrol, strengthened logistics deployment, and intensified staff training to meet contemporary road safety challenges,” he explained.

The corps marshal further highlighted recent achievements in public health, such as providing medical support for commercial drivers, as well as successes in sports with the FRSC’s handball teams.

Reflecting on the significance of the magazine, Mohammed added, “This magazine provides Nigerians with a strategic platform for feedback, fresh insights, and national dialogue on safe mobility. It reinforces our belief that information is an invaluable instrument for road user enlightenment.”

The FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, described the magazine as a tool for national transformation and credited the Corps Marshal’s leadership for its creation, aimed at educating Nigerians about responsible driving and road safety.

“Today, we launch far more than a magazine. We set in motion a national movement for safer roads, safer public and motorists, and a transport system that truly supports our country’s development aspirations. This publication is not merely a collection of articles. It is a national platform for advocacy, collaboration, responsibility, and behavioural transformation. It stands on the proof of our collective resolve to save lives, nurture accountability, and build a Nigeria where road users place safety at the core of every journey,” Ogungbemide said.

The magazine aims to become a national platform for advocacy, featuring expert analysis, success stories, and practical guidance for road users. It will also address issues such as youth and women empowerment, technology in transport, and environmental sustainability.

The Special Guest of Honour, Dr Toe Ekechi, Chairman of Marketing+Media Ltd, said, “The launch is a great step towards ensuring greater improvements on our highways. Information and communication are essential in this sector.”

In her goodwill message, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, congratulated the FRSC, noting the global implications of road safety.

“A safe road network is indispensable for intra-African trade, tourism, and regional integration, goals at the very heart of our foreign policy and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement,” she remarked.

Ebienfa, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed that the magazine would serve as a platform for Nigeria to share its innovations in road safety with the international community, positioning the country as a leader in global best practices.

She also highlighted the importance of information in fostering public engagement with road safety.

“Information is the bridge between policy and practice,” Ebienfa said, calling on all sectors—government, private, and civil society—to support the magazine’s mission. “Let this magazine, therefore, be a beacon of knowledge, a record of progress, and a catalyst for change.”

The event also featured CSP Femi Adedeji, representing the Inspector General of Police, who reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to supporting the FRSC in ensuring safer roads.

“The Police Force will continue to support FRSC with ideas, resources, among others,” Adedeji said.

The Wife of the Corps Marshal and President of the Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association, Nasifa Mohammed, also spoke at the event. She expressed optimism about the magazine’s potential to raise awareness even at the grassroots level.

“The magazine will create awareness even down to the grassroots level. We hope for safer roads now and in the future,” she said.

Nigeria’s road safety crisis has reached alarming levels, with tens of thousands of preventable deaths occurring annually.

According to the FRSC, the country records roughly 5,000 road-traffic deaths and over 31,000 injuries each year. In 2024 alone, 5,421 people lost their lives in 9,570 reported crashes.

Between 2023 and 2024, over 10,000 fatalities were recorded, highlighting the persistent scale of the problem. These figures underscore a long-standing pattern of deadly road accidents, particularly along high-risk corridors, where unsafe driving practices, overloading, and inadequate infrastructure exacerbate the crisis.

The PUNCH journalist, Gift, has over three years of experience covering elections, security and foreign affairs.

Kindly share this story:

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]

UPDATE NEWS: Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25Million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, 👉 click here to find out how it work (Be sure to ask for evidence of clients that have benefitted from this)

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.