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A Federal High Court in Abuja has slated November 11 to deliver a ruling on an application filed by former Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa, seeking to restrain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Justice Peter Lifu fixed the date after defence lawyers adopted their affidavits to show cause why the interim order should not be granted, while the plaintiff’s counsel adopted his counter-affidavit and argued his case.

Lamido, in the motion ex parte moved by his lawyer, Jeph Njikonye, SAN, on October 31, prayed the court to grant an interim order pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed alongside.

The former governor argued that if the PDP was not restrained, the party would be violating its constitution and, by implication, denying him the opportunity to contest for the position of national chairman – a position he said he is eminently qualified to contest.

In an earlier ruling, Justice Lifu declined to grant the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025 and instead ordered the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who are the 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit, to show cause why Lamido’s reliefs should not be granted.

The judge directed the defendants to respond within 72 hours from the date of service and adjourned the matter to November 6 for hearing.

At the resumed hearing, Njikonye, appearing for Lamido, recalled that on October 31, the court ordered the PDP and INEC to show cause why the application should not be granted.

Omokayode Dada, SAN, representing the PDP, and Adamu Bello, appearing for INEC, told the court that their separate affidavits to show cause had been filed and served on all parties.

Joseph Daudu, SAN, also announced his appearance for parties seeking to be joined in the suit. Those seeking to be joined include Hon. Austine Nwachukwu, Imo PDP Chairman; Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna, Abia PDP Chairman; and Hon. Turnah George, said to be the PDP Secretary for the South-South geopolitical zone.

Daudu informed the court that their application, dated and filed on November 5, included the certified true copy of a judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho on October 31, which restrained INEC from monitoring or recognising the scheduled PDP national convention. He said the applicants sought an order joining them as necessary parties and a consequential order to amend all processes filed in the suit.

Justice Lifu granted the request after no party opposed it.

Adopting his process, PDP’s lawyer, Dada, said the affidavit to show cause was filed on November 4 and argued that, contrary to Lamido’s claim, he was not denied the purchase of a nomination form.

According to the PDP’s affidavit, the period fixed by the National Working Committee (NWC) for the purchase of nomination forms for all aspirants in the forthcoming convention had elapsed before October 27, when Lamido arrived at the party’s National Headquarters.

The affidavit added that the party’s leadership had approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2025 elective national convention between September 3 and September 30. It stated that the party and its members are bound by its constitution, guidelines, and decisions, and insisted it had not violated any provisions or infringed on any aspirant’s rights.

Dada further argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, as it fell within the internal affairs of the party, and urged the court to dismiss the application.

INEC’s counsel, Bello, also prayed the court to refuse Lamido’s application, noting that the commission had filed a 13-paragraph affidavit to show cause on November 4 in compliance with the court’s order.

‘I adopt the application for the court to refuse the motion in the interest of justice,’ Bello said, adding that the reliefs sought against INEC in the motion ex parte were substantially the same as those in Lamido’s originating summons pending before the court.

He argued that granting the interim or interlocutory injunction sought would amount to prejudging the substantive issues in the suit.

Bello also contended that the plaintiff’s application was an invitation for the court to interfere in the internal affairs of the PDP, a political party. INEC, in its affidavit, maintained that a court of record should not dabble into political questions, which are the exclusive preserve of political parties.

In response, Lamido’s counsel, Njikonye, disagreed with the submissions of both the PDP and INEC.

He urged the court to take judicial notice of Exhibit D in Daudu’s joinder application – the judgment delivered by Justice Omotosho – and prayed the court to refuse the PDP’s application and discountenance INEC’s argument.

Njikonye cited a Supreme Court decision guiding how INEC should conduct itself, adding: ‘It is therefore within the purview of Your Lordship to make the right and appropriate order in this regard.’

Also speaking, Daudu said the essence of the requested order was purely preservative and would enable the court to have a substantive issue to decide upon.

Justice Lifu consequently adjourned the matter till November 11 for ruling and further proceedings.

The Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has asked the Federal Government to apologise to Yoruba nation activist Chief Sunday Adeyemo over the invasion of his Ibadan residence, describing the July 1, 2021, raid by a combined team of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army as unlawful and criminal.

It is recalled that the invasion of Igboho’s residence, located around Soka in Ibadan, Oyo State, was carried out during the regime of the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari over allegations that he was stockpiling arms and ammunition.

In a video posted by Igboho’s media aide, Olayomi Koiki, Soyinka – who said that the Yoruba nation activist should not be pursued as a criminal – advised the Federal Government to apologise to him over the incident, which led to the killing of two of his aides and the arrest of 13 supporters.

Though it could not be ascertained when the video was released, the Nobel Laureate was responding to questions during an interview on the invasion of Igboho’s residence in Ibadan, the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu (leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB), bandit attacks and other insecurity challenges plaguing Nigeria.

According to the video, sighted by journalists, Soyinka stated: ‘My advice is not so much to Igboho but to the government – that they should stop pursuing this person as a criminal because you (government) have begun by acting in a criminal fashion against him.

‘Because if and when Igboho comes to trial I guarantee you that the government will be very embarrassed. It’s not in the interest of the government. I think they should just tell Igboho, ‘we made a mistake; we should not have acted this way; you are no longer wanted – go back to your home,’ and in fact escort him to his home quietly and let him resume his normal life.’

Soyinka continued: ‘To declare him wanted – and again this is another issue of language – I read in some papers that Igboho is in hiding. But more accurately he has probably just gone underground to protect himself and perhaps be able to continue his declared struggle.

‘I’m not talking about the secessionist aspect. I’m talking about what Igboho came out to do and I believe it is still his mission in this nation to protect and defend his own people and to let the aggressors know that they are not lords of this nation or any section of it beyond what they are constitutionally entitled to.

‘I think the government, in its known interest, if you bring Igboho to trial he’s going to get mud in your face, clearly. As far as I’m concerned it is up to Igboho to decide. He knows what the circumstances were. He knows what happened before his people were killed and he’s the only one who can decide for himself. I cannot advise him.’

The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) has canvassed for the intervention of the United Nations in the threat by the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump to deploy military attacks against Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians in the country.

The Corps warned that the threat, if carried out, would be counter productive because vulnerable Nigerians would be exposed to avoidable dangers and hardships.

Addressing a press conference on the threat in Abuja on Wednesday, National Commandant of the Corps, Dr Dickson Akoh said, the Corps was greatly concerned by the remarks of Trump, wherein he designated Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ and threatened the use of military might over the perceived genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

He said, while the Peace Corps of Nigeria acknowledged the gravity of insecurity affecting citizens of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds, including foreign nationals, ‘we hereby passionately appeal to Mr Trump, in the interest of global peace and security, to rather than resorting to the threats of deploying military force, choose diplomacy and a peaceful approach as the best option in the interest of the vulnerable and peaceful Nigerians and foreigners alike.

‘Military intervention, especially unilateral action, carries an inherent and enormous risk. It complicates an already complex environment, threatens to escalate violence, and risks destabilizing the very communities it seeks to protect, potentially creating a humanitarian crisis far worse than the original problem. We must avoid this tragic playbook.

‘Nigeria requires collaborative, strategic support, not confrontation. This is where the non-kinetic approach is vital. We stand ready to partner with international bodies and the US government through peaceful and developmental means.

‘The deployment of resources for job creation, education, and peace-building programs represents a far more sustainable and effective path to peace than the deployment of troops. We urge the United States to respect our territorial integrity and engage through established diplomatic channels.

‘By virtue of its Special Consultative Status granted in 2013, the Peace Corps of Nigeria is part of the UN system and shares its core ideal: a commitment to global peace and security.

‘Since any regional threat risks global stability, we call on the United Nations to urgently leverage consultative dialogue, integrated negotiation, and high-level diplomacy to mediate the rising tensions between its member states, America and Nigeria.

‘Nigeria is a proud and sovereign nation committed to fundamental freedoms. For the sake of all innocent lives, the peace of diplomacy must always be chosen over the trauma of military deployment.

‘Therefore, the UN must act decisively to intervene before this current tension spirals into any form of confrontation. By urgently bringing both nations together under its neutral auspices, the United Nations can secure a path of mutual respect and sustainable, non-kinetic solutions that truly benefit the vulnerable people of Nigeria,’ he said.

A woman, Mrs Janet (surname withheld) was on Tuesday arrested by detectives of Oyo State Police Command, after her lover, Mr Olubunmi (surname withheld) was found dead by the window outside her room where she was residing at Kajola Community, Apete, Ibadan.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that it was the woman’s lover who went to report the incident at Apete police station.

Aside the man’s lifeless body, his Hyundai vehicle was also sighted on the roadside at the entry into the community where the woman resides.

Found in the deceased’s pocket were his car key, mobile phone and some amount of cash, while a mark, suspected to be as a result of violence, was also noticed on his forehead.

Information gathered had it that the deceased, a clerk at a popular law chamber (name withheld) at Adamasingba area of Ibadan, was married, but had been having an affair with the woman who was a food vendor in the same area where the deceased worked.

It was further learnt that Mr Olubunmi used to bring the lover to her home at Kajola Community, Apete before leaving for his family home at Ologuneru area.

On Monday evening, as usual, Mr Olubunmi brought Mrs Janet home and and later left for his home, according to Mrs Janet.

The woman lover claimed that she called deceased’s number to know if he had got home but he was unreachable.

The following morning, she said that she saw her lover’s car by the road side at the entry point to the community where she lives when going out, and the car door was not locked.

His body was however discovered at the back of the lover’s window, with a wound on his forehead. His car key, phone and money were found intact in his pocket.

Unconfirmed reports had it that the deceased, suspected Mrs Janet of having an affair with another man, and had pretended as if he was leaving, but returned to the house, only to have his suspicion confirmed as he allegedly met another man.

She was also alleged of having other lovers where the deceased worked. However, the woman denied the allegations.

Nigerian Tribune further learnt that as a large crowd gathered around the police station where the woman was detained, the deceased’s wife who came with tears and anger, accused the woman lover of killing her husband despite several warnings that she should halt the relationship when she (the wife) discovered.

The legal practitioners working at the law chamber were also reported to have come to the police station, with a vow to get the mystery behind the staff’s death unravelled.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State Command, CSP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the story when contacted, saying that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Iyaganku, Ibadan, for further investigation.

The Governing Council of Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State has approved the appointment of Professor Ogunwole Joshua Olalekan as the new Vice Chancellor of the University.

Chairman, Governing Council of the University, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) announced Olalekan as the 5th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University after a thorough and rigorous selection exercise that was fully digitalised, at an extra-ordinary Council meeting held at National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja.

Ogunwole, a professor of Soil Science, who until his appointment is the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Strategic Partnership, Research, Innovation and Linkages, would take over from the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, on 11th February 2026.

According to Ndoma-Egba, the tenure of the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina he noted has done well and has taken the university to new heights, is expiring on the 10th of February 2026, adding that Olalekan remains the Vice Chancellor designate until the 11th of February 2026 when he formally takes over.

Ogunwole defeated over 64 other candidates who applied for the plum job, with two expatriates joining in the race.

He said: ‘The exercise that has resulted in the appointment, was the first fully digitalized online exercise in the Nigerian University system.

‘The process was fully digitalised. The applications were launched online, and the assessments were done by the system. However, to ensure transparency and accuracy, we still carried out a manual review. For instance, if the system showed that an applicant had two fellowships, we verified manually to confirm the claim.

‘We started the process with an announcement in February 2025 to commence the succession programme for a new Vice-Chancellor. By law, we are required to advertise the position in major newspapers for six weeks, and that was strictly followed.

‘Every line of the advertisement was debated and approved by the council before publication. At the end of the six weeks, we received 64 online applications.

‘When we had the final six names, we immediately contacted the Department of State Services (DSS) in Ekiti for the screening of the shortlisted candidates. After a very thorough exercise, the Council approved the most suitable and qualified candidate.

‘We emerged from the process with Professor Ogunwole Joshua Olalekan as the fifth Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti,’ he said.

Ndoma-Egba also disclosed that the Council among other things approved the appointments of university librarian, approved the director of health services for the university, the director of works and services and the director physical planning for the university.

Ogunwole obtained his first, second, and third degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Between 1990 and 1992, he served as Manager of Yula Farms, Kaduna. He later joined the Department of Crop Production and Protection at the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, where he taught between December 2013 and March 2016, and also served as Director of University Advancement and Linkages.

Ogunwole, a distinguished Soil Scientist with close to 30 years of experience in teaching, research and community service, having served across institutions, including Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU), Adamawa State University, Mubi (ADSU), Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) and Bowen University, Iwo, where he has made significant contributions as both an educator and administrator, would bring his experience into transformation of FUOYE.

The Legislative Arm of Agege Local Government in Lagos State has confirmed receipt of a formal resignation letter from the Council’s Executive Chairman, Alhaji Tunde Azeez, and announced plans to forward the correspondence to the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for consideration.

Earlier, reports indicated that Hon. Azeez resigned due to health challenges, having transferred power to his Vice Chairman, Hon. AbdulGaniyu Vinod Obasa, about two months ago before embarking on medical leave.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing attended by all seven councilors, the Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Haruna Adeshina, confirmed the development and expressed the lawmakers’ collective support for the Chairman’s decision.

‘We commend Hon. Tunde Azeez profoundly for his courage to relinquish his position in order to focus on his health, rather than holding on to power at the expense of the community’s progress,’ Adeshina stated.

He explained that while Hon. Obasa remains the Acting Chairman, the Council has commenced the process of transmitting Azeez’s resignation letter to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs for onward delivery to Governor Sanwo-Olu, in accordance with constitutional provisions.

‘The final decision now rests with His Excellency, Governor Sanwo-Olu,’ Adeshina added.

Also present at the briefing were the immediate past Chairmen of Agege Local Government and Orile Agege Local Council Development Area, Chief Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi and Pastor J.S. Babatunde, who both expressed solidarity with the Council’s position.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing quality, functional, and affordable education, describing it as the cornerstone of sustainable development and national progress.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 69th National Council on Education (NCE) meeting held at The Dome, Akure, the governor said education remains a key driver of national renewal, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Aiyedatiwa, who welcomed education stakeholders from across the country, commended the President for expanding access to quality education through initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which has benefited more than 624,000 students nationwide.

He said, ‘Quality education data is the foundation of every effective education system. With dependable data, we can track progress, evaluate interventions and ensure that every learner receives functional education.

‘Teaching is one of the oldest and most noble professions, yet it has not received the recognition it deserves. We must restore its dignity by elevating its standards and rewarding merit.’

The governor described the meeting’s theme, ‘Quality Education Data and Professionalisation of Teaching: Tools for Enhanced National Development,’ as both timely and relevant.

He noted that the theme aligns with global education goals under UNESCO’s Education 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4).

Highlighting Ondo State’s strides in education, Aiyedatiwa listed several achievements under his administration, including the annual payment of WASSCE and NABTEB fees for students, recruitment and training of over 2,100 teachers, provision of 8,000 learners’ desks and 6,000 teachers’ furniture, and massive renovation of classrooms, laboratories, and libraries across the state.

He also noted that the state had paid counterpart funds up to 2024 to access UBEC/SUBEB grants, introduced free school shuttle buses and boats, and established a Youth Skills Development Centre with ICT-based training.

According to him, Ondo State currently operates more than 1,285 public primary schools, 315 public secondary schools, and three state-owned universities, reflecting his government’s commitment to access and inclusiveness.

Aiyedatiwa assured that the state would continue to invest in digital learning, teacher development, and STEM/STEAM education to prepare learners for the global knowledge economy.

The governor also lauded the Federal Ministry of Education for hosting the Council meeting in Akure and for its ongoing reforms aimed at digitalising the education sector.

In his remarks, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the federal government has embarked on sweeping reforms to digitise Nigeria’s education system, improve data accuracy, and professionalise teaching in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said the theme of the council meeting reflected the Federal Government’s determination to align Nigeria’s education system with global best practices.

The minister said, ‘Education is not merely a social service; it is a strategic investment. It is the foundation of economic growth, social cohesion, and national stability.

‘Quality education data and professionalised teaching are twin pillars on which sustainable national development rests.’

The Minister disclosed that the Federal Executive Council had approved the establishment of the National Education Repository and Databank (NERD), a digital platform designed to store, verify, and coordinate academic records across the country.

Two major components of the NERD system – the National Credential Verification System (NCVS) and the National Academic Document Digitisation Service – are already operational.

‘The NCVS assigns every certificate a unique National Credential Number and secure QR code for instant verification.

‘These innovations are transforming the integrity of our education system, eliminating certificate fraud and plagiarism, and promoting transparency and global recognition of Nigerian credentials.’

He also announced the rollout of the Digital Nigerian Education Management Information System (DNEMIS), which will digitally capture and track learners from basic to tertiary levels.

‘Twenty-one states have already started uploading their data into the DNEMIS platform, we are working with the National Identity Management Commission to ensure every learner is assigned a National Identification Number,’ he said

He also highlighted the government’s renewed focus on curriculum reform, stating that the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Curricula have been revised to incorporate 21st-century skills such as digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and citizenship education.

He said, ‘We have reduced the number of subjects to make learning more focused and meaningful, with the new curriculum, learning outcomes will rise to meet national expectations.’

In infrastructure development, the Minister revealed that the ministry had built 4,900 classrooms, renovated 3,000, and established 34 model schools within six months, benefiting over 2.3 million learners nationwide.

He added that tertiary education reforms have also progressed, with the establishment of two new Federal Universities of Health Sciences in Zamfara and Ogun States, and the introduction of the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), through which 9,000 staff have already benefited.

He said, ‘Education is the heartbeat of development, the most powerful weapon for national renewal. Let us ensure that every Nigerian child, from the remotest village in Bayelsa to the largest city in Kano, receives quality education that empowers, uplifts, and transforms.’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to defeating terrorism and building stronger ties with Nigeria’s international partners.

‘We are engaging the world diplomatically, and we assure all of you that we will defeat terrorism,’ the President said before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) began its closed-door session on Thursday.

The meeting, held at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, was the council’s first since July.

Tinubu’s remarks came days after U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ a move the Federal Government described as a misrepresentation of the nation’s security situation.

In his first public response to the designation, Tinubu said his government is in talks with the international community to promote security, stability, and economic growth.

‘Despite political headwinds and fears, we will continue to engage with our partners.

‘The success of the $2.3bn Eurobond, which was oversubscribed, is a sign of confidence in our economy.

‘The task ahead is immense, but we are resolved to move forward with unity and purpose,’ he said.

Tinubu also assured Nigerians that the country remains united and committed to peace and progress.

He commended members of his cabinet for their dedication to his Renewed Hope Agenda and urged them to stay focused on delivering government reforms.

The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has intensified its drive to extend affordable health insurance to informal sector workers through the Ilera N’Tiwa Cooperative and Multipurpose Society Limited (ITCMS).

The initiative aims to deepen financial inclusion and expand access to quality healthcare for Lagos residents.

Speaking at the inaugural general meeting of the cooperative held on Wednesday at the Debt Management Office Conference Hall, LASHMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said the cooperative was established in partnership with the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA) to integrate informal workers into the state’s Social Health Insurance Scheme – Ilera Eko.

Dr. Zamba explained that ITCMS allows artisans and other informal workers to pay for health insurance in flexible installments while the cooperative remits full premiums upfront to LASHMA.

This model, she noted, guarantees uninterrupted access to healthcare services for enrollees and their families.

Beyond health insurance, the cooperative offers several welfare benefits, including low-interest loans, discounted food items through agricultural partnerships, referral bonuses, and raffle draws.

‘These benefits are designed to improve members’ welfare and promote social inclusion,’ Dr. Zamba said.

Since its official launch in December 2024, the cooperative has partnered with a microfinance bank and recorded steady membership growth.

Dr. Zamba emphasized that the initiative supports Lagos State’s goal of achieving universal health coverage by 2030 through community-driven solutions.

Reflecting on progress since 2020, she noted that awareness of health insurance had grown significantly. ‘Today, more people understand the importance of paying ahead for healthcare, and participation has grown remarkably,’ she said.

According to her, the Governor’s Executive Order making health insurance mandatory has strengthened LASHMA’s mandate.

Enforcement is expected to begin in 2026 after sustained sensitization campaigns. ‘Our focus now is on building awareness and preparing residents for full implementation,’ she added.

Dr. Zamba also highlighted new LASHMA initiatives, including an emergency services program, an online radio station, and a digital verification platform designed to make access to health plans easier and more transparent.

‘When you subscribe to health insurance, you’re not just buying a policy – you’re protecting your family’s future,’ she stressed.

In his welcome address, Engr. Ajayi Lawrence, President of ITCMS and the Lagos Association of Artisans, described the event as a milestone for economic empowerment and collective progress.

‘The name Ilera N’Tiwa, meaning ‘Our Well-being,’ reflects our vision of unity and prosperity. This cooperative is not just a financial platform, it’s a movement to transform lives through savings, access to credit, and quality healthcare,’ he said.

He outlined four key objectives: promoting a savings culture, providing financial support, investing in joint ventures for sustainable growth, and upholding transparency. The cooperative currently connects over 75 artisan groups across seven local government areas, offering health education and enrollment support for Ilera Eko.

‘With LASHMA’s support, our members can now receive medical treatment and drugs without paying out of pocket. It’s a life-changing opportunity we want every artisan to embrace,’ he added.

Also speaking, Mr. Rotimi Olatunji, LASHMA’s Head of Business Development, said ITCMS represents a practical model for health-related financial inclusion. ‘Members can conveniently pay for their insurance while accessing other welfare programs such as food banks, cooperative loans, and referral bonuses,’ he said.

He added that the cooperative provides access to over 600 accredited healthcare providers across Lagos, including hospitals, pharmacies, and diagnostic centers. A partner microfinance bank supports premium financing to allow flexible installment payments.

Mr. Femi Niyi, Managing Director of Rigo Microfinance Bank, reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to bridging healthcare financing gaps.

‘Our partnership with ITCMS and LASHMA ensures that no one is denied medical care due to lack of funds,’ he said.

Niyi described health insurance as a critical safety net. ‘Insurance isn’t about expecting sickness – it’s about being prepared and protecting your family,’ he emphasized, commending the Lagos State Government for promoting inclusive healthcare.

‘Your health is your greatest wealth,’ he concluded. ‘Take advantage of this initiative, secure your health, and secure your future.’

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Niger State Command, has inaugurated the Zero Road Traffic Crashes campaign as part of its end-of-year Operations, with a call on motorists to take responsibility for their safety and that of other road users.

Corps Commander, Aishat Sa’adu, Niger Sector Commander of FRSC inaugurated the campaign on Thursday during a stakeholders engagement in Minna.

According to her , the campaign, themed: ‘Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving,’ is aimed at reducing road crashes and fatalities usually associated with increased human and vehicular movements during the Yuletide period .

‘This exercise is a key component of our operational strategy to ensure that every road user arrives alive during the festive season,’ she said.

Sa’adu noted that the operation emphasises the human factor as a major cause of accidents, hence the need for caution by both drivers and passengers.

She listed the command’s operational focus to include increased patrol visibility, strict speed enforcement, public enlightenment, prompt rescue operations, and sustained collaboration with sister security agencies and transport unions.

She said that all patrol teams and special marshals would be deployed on major routes including Minna-Bida, Suleja-Minna, Mokwa-Kontagora and other critical highways across the state.

The sector commander appealed to motorists to shun speeding, overloading, drunk driving and the use of mobile phones while driving, stressing that no journey is worth the loss of life.

‘Passengers also have a responsibility to speak up when a driver is violating traffic rules,’ she said.

She appreciated the support of the FRSC Headquarters, the Niger State Government, and stakeholders in the transport sector for their cooperation toward safer roads.

Sa’adu urged all road users to embrace the vision of zero road traffic crashes and make the festive period a safe and joyous one for everyone.

‘Together, we can ensure that at the end of the year, no life is lost needlessly on our roads,’ she said.