NEWS
Road Accidents: 146 Persons Killed, 904 Injured in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A total of 146 persons were killed in road accidents in Kogi state while 904 others were injured between January and November 2020.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Zonal Commanding Officer, RS8 Ilorin, Victor Nwokolo disclosed this at the inauguration of the campaign for 2020 Ember Months and Mega Rally, to ensure safety on roads and reduce the fatality of crashes in the state.
According to Nwokolo, the FRSC analysis showed a reduction in road accidents data in the state compared with previous years.
He also disclosed that a total of 355 road traffic crashes were recorded in 2019 with 1,148 persons injured, 194 killed and 558 vehicles involved while between January to November, 2020 witnessed a total of 326 road traffic crashes of which 904 people were injured and 146 killed and 482 vehicles involved.
The figure, he said gave 7.9% increase in road traffic crashes, 7.5% decrease in people injured and 29.6% in persons killed when compared with over eleven months records of 2019 and 2020.
The Sector Commander, RS8 Kogi, CC Solomon Agure who also spoke at the event, said the 2020 Ember Months Campaign was targeted at inducing the best global road use practices into the people of the State and the nation at large.
According to Agure, the campaign theme, “Drive safe, Stay safe”, was deliberately chosen to allow all and sundry reflect deeply and critically analyzed issues of road traffic rules and regulations as well as their attendance consequences.
He noted that Kogi as a confluence State remained a traffic melting point linking States from the North, South and East has a special traffic challenges especially during the festive period.
”This comes with disobedience to traffic rules and regulations by motorists and road users owing to improperly planned journeys leading to speeding, dangerous driving and other road vices which often times culminate in Road Traffic Crashes (RTC).
”In view of the above the Command has put some measures in place to checkmate these ugly trends to ensure safety of lives and properties.
”These include identification of black spots within the major roads in the state, gridlock areas, robust public enlightenments and domesticated public education on road usage and related issues, carrying out of road audits and survey, among others”, he said.
The sector commander stressed that Road Traffic Crashes do not just happen; but caused by lawless, reckless, negligent, impatient, unskilled drivers, and of mechanically deficient vehicles, among others.
He, therefore called on all transport stakeholders and Government officials to shun reckless driving and also to ensure their drivers and vehicles were in good shape and working conditions.
He added: ”Avoid the temptation of the rush period and remember you owe the passengers the obligation of safely conveying them to their destinations”.
Agure commended Gov. Yahaya Adoza Bello and his deputy, Chief Edward David Onoja for their total commitment to supporting FRSC towards the propagation of Road Safety in Kogi State and the Nation at large.
He thanked all the Sister Security Agencies, and traditional rulers in state for their complimentary roles towards achieving one common goal of nation building through safety on the roads.
”This is quite appreciable but calls for more efforts on our part and support from Government and other agencies to uphold this stance and further reduce it to the barest minimum by end of 2020”, Nwokolo said.
He, therefore, urged road users to guide against road traffic offences such as drunkenness, overloading, dangerous overtaking, kid driving, use of worn out tyres, and refusal to obey traffic lights or signs, warning that the corps would not take it kindly with any offender.
He emphasised the commitment of the Corps to its mandate of creating safer motoring environment for the good people of Kogi State and the Nation at large.
In his remarks, the Kogi State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello, commended the efforts of FRSC in ensuring safety on Kogi roads and across Nigeria at large.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade, further thanked the corps for reopening Jamata bridge to ease motorists of traffic hardship during the yuletide season, urging them to extend the gesture to Itobe bridge.
The governor enjoined motorists to be safety conscious and not endangering the lives of passengers and theirs, while assuring the corps of the continuous support of his government to ensure safety on roads in Kogi state.
By Nasir Dambatta
Governor Uba Sani has once again underscored his commitment to fostering unity among Kaduna’s diverse religious communities, attending both the 2024 Kaduna Unity Christmas Carol and a Maulud celebration in Zaria within the same week.On December 21, the Governor graced The 2024 Kaduna Unity Christmas Carol at ECWA Goodnews Church, Narayi Highcost, an event organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna Chapter.
The Carol, an annual tradition, brought together Christians from across the state in a celebration of joy, love, and togetherness. Governor Sani’s presence at the event highlighted his inclusive leadership and his efforts to strengthen interfaith harmony in a state known for its rich religious diversity.Shortly after, on December 22, Governor Sani attended a Maulud celebration in Zaria, organized by the Fityanul Islam group. Maulud, which commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is a time for reflection, prayer, and communal unity. The gathering in Zaria was attended by numerous dignitaries and religious scholars who reflected on the Prophet’s teachings of compassion, tolerance, and peace—values that resonate deeply with the Governor’s vision for Kaduna.Observers said the Governor’s presence at both events was a powerful reminder of his dedication to fostering peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in the state. “Through these actions, Governor Uba Sani is leading by example, demonstrating that religious celebrations and dialogue can serve as a foundation for a united, progressive society.”, one of the observers said.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has directed government hospitals to provide free treatment to the people that sustained injuries during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.Wike gave the directive in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Saturday.
No fewer than 10 people including children lost their lives while 10 others sustained injuries to the stampede, during the distribution of food items to less privileged and the elderly by the church. The sad incident occurred around 6:30 a.m on Saturday.Wike said that the FCT Administration would ensure that the injured received adequate medical attention.The minister, who commiserated with the victims, also directed that henceforth, police permission should be obtained by individuals or organizations planning public distribution of palliatives, either food items or cash.Describing the incident as “painful”, Wike prayed for the repose of the souls of the lives that were lost and fortitude for their families to bear the irreparable loss.He commended the Police and other security agencies for their prompt intervention, saying, “the promptness in which security agencies responded to the incident was commendable.”In a related development, the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), equally commiserated with the victims of the stampede.The acting Director General of the department, Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed, in a statement said that nine out of the 10 injured persons earlier taken to Maitama District Hospital, have been treated and discharged.Mohammed also appealed to organisations that intended to give out food items to the less privileged to involve security agencies or FEMD for adequate planning to ensure safety of beneficiaries.He also advised the use of coupons and segregation of the beneficiaries into groups to avoid crowd and rowdiness that could lead to stampedes.Similarly, the Police Command in the FCT has ordered organisations, religious bodies, groups, or individuals to notify the police when planning public events, charitable activities, or large gatherings in the territory.In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said that the notification was to enable the police to deploy adequate security measures for public safety.According to her, failure to comply with the directive will result in the organisers being held liable for any incident or loss of life resulting from negligenceMeanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has issued a warning against the unorganised distribution of palliatives and funfairs, which have led to stampedes and fatalities among vulnerable citizens.The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, gave the warning during a media briefing on Saturday in Abuja.Adejobi explained that the warning came in response to the increasing number of stampedes resulting in injuries and deaths, particularly during palliative distributions. (NAN)
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it has recorded a lot of successes in military training and academic activities in 2024.
The Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, said this at the Nigerian Defence Academy Social Activities (NDASA), held at the headquarters of the academy Afaka on Friday in Kaduna.
Ochai said the essence of NDASA was to end training activities of the year.
He said the 2024 NDASA was unique because the academy marked 60 years of existence from 1964-2024.
Also of significance, Ochai said, NDA had passed out the largest number of officers commissioned into the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2024.
Equally, he said, in the same year (2024), the academy had the largest number of officers trained outside the country.
He emphasised that the NDA does not only train leaders for the Nigerian Armed Forces, but those for the Nigerian nation and humanity at large.
“After five years of training, we imbibe in officers leadership qualities that are everlasting.
”The traditions, ethos, characters that we instill in our cadets follow them forever and become very useful in all spheres of human endeavors,” Ochai said.
Mr Martins Amaram, Country Security Manager, Nigeria Breweries, PLC , who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the event fostered unity, cultural awareness and comradeship among the cadets and the larger community.
Amaram said, “The academy has always been a beacon of excellence in producing military leaders for integrity, resilience and capacity to face in a dynamic and complex world .
“Beyond academics and military training the academy still values cultural respect and social engagement, recognising the diversity of our great country. Nigeria.”
He commended NDA for creating the platform where cadets can appreciate the rich cultures and build bonds that transit borders.
Amaram added, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are playing a critical role in ensuring the stability and progress of our nation. “
He urged the academy to continue to record more successes in its mission of excellence and service to the nation.
Report says that awards were given to deserving soldiers who distinguished themselves in 2024.
report says that 22 soldiers were decorated from Warrant Officer(WO) to Master Warrant Officers(MWO). (NAN)
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