The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has bagged the Kofi Anann’s award best road safety agency in Africa.

This is contained in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Thursday in Abuja.

Ogungbemide said that the Corp received the award at the 3rd edition of the Kofi Annan Road Safety Award held in Elzuwini in the Kingdom of Eswatini, South Africa.

He said that the achievement corroborated the Corps’ almost 4 decades of dedication, resilience and passion towards safeguarding lives on Nigerian roads.

Report says that Kofi Annan Road Safety Award was initiated by the Office of the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Road Safety.

NAN also reports that its in collaboration with Kofi Annan Foundation to immortalise the contributions of African illustrious son Kofi Annan who served as the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Ogungbemide, however, said that the prestigious Road Safety Management Award represented a badge of honour for Nigeria.

He said it was also a pure testament of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to unflinching support for the FRSC and his believe in the Corps’ potential to serve as a model for other African nations.

“Indeed, FRSC’s tireless efforts to reduce road crashes and promote safe driving practices have paid off, earning recognition across the continent.

“The recognition further speaks volume, as well as justifies the giant strides Nigeria has made in ensuring safety of road users and her leadership role in the Sub-region,” he said.

Reacting to the recognition, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, said that it was a testament to FRSC’s unrelenting passion for road safety.

Mohammed thanked the entire community of the motoring public, stakeholders, partners, and the Nigerian people for their support.

He emphasised that the Corps was able to achieve the enviable feat because of the collective energy and all round support received from the motoring public.

He also revealed that FRSC’s winning formula include innovative strategies, implementing cutting-edge road safety initiatives that drive results, collaboration, fostering partnerships with stakeholders.

This, he added, were to promote road safety awareness, community engagement, educating the public on safe driving practices, full deployment of technology and road safety protocols.

The Principal Staff Officer to the Corps Marshal, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Meshach Jatau, received the award on behalf of the Corps in Ghana.(NAN)

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Niger State Governor, Umar Bago said the reintroduction of the teaching of both Christian Religious Studies (CRS) and Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) in public schools was a deliberate effort aimed at promoting moral education and instill a sense of respect for God among the teaming youths.

Bago made disclosed this over recently while declaring open this year’s annual conference of the Nupe Christian Fellowship International at the Cathedral Church of St.

He attributed the increase in thuggery and youth restiveness in the society to lack of proper moral upbringing emphasizing that both parents and religious institutions play a crucial role in shaping the values of young people.

The Governor asserted that parental care and good moral education are essential in combating the rising tide of crime, thuggery and unrest among the youth.

Bago was represented by his Special Adviser on Public Private Partner (PPP) and former Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, pointed out that religious institutions in the country have an important responsibility in enhancing the moral training of youths.

According to him, this initiative underscores the importance of teaching religious studies, which help mold and guide the lives of young individuals. He noted, “The absence of proper moral upbringing is significantly responsible for the increasing rates of various social vices among our youths.”

In addition to fostering moral education in schools, Bago expressed his administration’s commitment to controlling the rising incidents of thuggery and unrest in the state. He stated, “No responsible government will fold its arms and allow miscreants to take over the state and instill fear in innocent citizens.”

The Governor assured the Christian community of equitable treatment, affirming that “Niger State is a secular state and, therefore, there will be fair and equal treatment of adherents of the two major religions.” He reiterated, “We have reintroduced the teaching of the two main religions in our public schools as a step towards promoting equity, justice, and fairness for all. There will be no discrimination.”

The President of the Nupe Christian Fellowship International, Jacob Tsado commended the Governor for the infrastructural transformation of the state over the past two years, noting his exemplary leadership.

He described the annual conference as an event that fosters spiritual and socio-economic revival among members and unites Nupe Christians.

The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has appointed prominent media personalities to its standing committees to promote press freedom and responsible journalism in the country.

The appointments were announced in a statement issued by IPI’s Secretary, Mr Ahmed Shekarau on Sunday in Abuja.

According to Shekarau, the committees are Fundraising, Programming, Advocacy and Membership, each comprising seasoned industry professionals.

He stated that “notable appointees include the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity and former President of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mrs Funke Egbemode.

“Others are former Managing Director of Champion Newspapers, Mr Emma Agu and former Provost of Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye.”

Shekarau added that the fundraising committee will be chaired by Egbemode, while the Secretary is Alhaji Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operations, The Nation.

Other members of the committee are Idris, Juliet Bumah, Editor, New Telegraph, Shehu, Ken Ugbechie, publisher of Political Economist, Victoria Ibanga, publisher of The Next Edition, Olufunke Fadugba, Chairman of the Editorial Board of PenPushing Media and Ogunleye.

He said that the Chairman of the programming committee is Mr Oladotun Oladipo, Managing Editor/CEO, Premium Eagle Limited, publishers of The Eagle Online and the Secretary is Hajia Sani, Director, Digital Media at Voice of Nigeria (VON).

Other members are Hajiya Zainab Okino, Chairman Daily of the Editorial Board of Blueprint, Dayo Aiyetan, Executive Director at The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Catherine Agbo, Deputy Editor, 21st Century Chronicle, Emma Agu, former Managing Director/CEO, Champion and Ahmed Shekarau, CEO, Media Trust Group.

“Advocacy Committee’s Chairman is Tobi Soniyi, Media Adviser to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Secretary, Ochiaka Ugwu, Editor, Features, Peoples Daily.

“Other members are Sule Ya’u Sule, Associate Professor at Bayero University Kano, Danlami Nmodu, Publisher of Newsdiaryonline, Laide Abbas, Assistant Director, News, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).

“Also as members are David Ajikobi, Nigerian Editor of Africa Check and Fred Ohwahwa, former Editor at The Guardian and Senior Partner, Tokee Consult Limited.”

Shekarau said that the membership committee would be chaired by Ruqayyah Aliyu, Associate Professor at Bayero University Kano, while Linda Kpum, IPI Nigeria’s Administrative Secretary would serve as Secretary.

The committee has Fidelis Mbah, Al Jazeera Media Network and Deputy President of IPI Nigeria, Naziru Mikailu Abubakar, PhD Fellow at the University of Westminster, United Kingdom and Bolanle Ismail, Lecturer, Crescent University, Abeokuta as members.

The secretary said each committee is tasked with key responsibilities, explaining that the Fundraising Committee is expected to plan, coordinate and execute fundraising activities to support IPI Nigeria’s programmes.

“The Programming Committee will design initiatives and develop compelling programmes aligned with IPI Nigeria’s objectives.

“The Advocacy Committee will provide strategic direction for IPI Nigeria’s advocacy efforts, promoting press freedom and engaging public officials on key policy issues.

“The Membership Committee will focus on attracting new members, assessing applicants’ qualifications and enhancing engagement.”

He quoted IPI Nigeria’s President, Musikilu Mojeed, as saying “the reconstitution of these committees aims to accelerate efforts in safeguarding press freedom and promoting responsible journalism practices in Nigeria.” (NAN)