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COMACE ADDRESS AT CELEBRITY SPECIAL MARSHALS INDUCTION
KEY NOTE ADDRESS PRESENTED BY THE CORPS MARSHAL AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS OSITA CHIDOKA AT THE INDUCTION CEREMONY OF CELEBRITY SPECIAL MARSHALS HELD ON 20 TH OCTOBER 2009 AT SOUTHERN SUN HOTEL IKOYI LAGOS.
- Today marks yet another milestone in the efforts of the Federal Road Safety Corps to raise the banner of public enlightenment campaign on road safety in the country with the involvement of celebrities.
- The idea of involving celebrities in the campaign is a novel one. I embraced it because of my conviction that celebrities in any society have solid followership base and could effectively influence their fans for social mobilization cause. Moreover, the idea of massive participation of people with civic backgrounds for the propagation of the messages of road safety is one of the Corps’ operational strategies. That was why I did not only lend my unwavering support to this novel idea, but demonstrated it by my travelling down to do the induction myself.
- It is therefore, a great pleasure and honour for me to be here today to preside over this occasion, which no doubt is a turning point in the onerous task of the Corps to reduce road traffic crashes in the country to zero level.
- The concept of volunteerism which the Special Marshals evidently demonstrates is a universal idea based on the belief that government alone cannot do it. People with spirit of selfless services should therefore be encouraged to render these services to the glory of God and development of the nation. Consequently, I wish to thank specially,all celebrities who have thought it wise today to invest their time, talents and resources in solidarity with our campaign against road carnage by becoming members of Special Marshals. In particular, my deep appreciation goes to members who are drawn from the media, movies, music and comedy industries for their patriotic decision to serve their fatherland voluntarily using their God- given talents to save the lives of the people on the roads.
- Special Marshals are volunteer members of the Corps whose members are drawn from people with diverse backgrounds with the sole aim of rendering their selfless services for the love of humanity. Its members have the same powers of rendering recue services to accident victims without fear of being questioned by any authority, educate traffic offenders if apprehended and prosecute them if necessary, just like the Regular Marshals. Their contribution to development of the Corps over the years is well appreciated. They are the largest volunteer force in Africa with membership of about 15,000 and effort is being made to increase the strength.
- We have in appreciation of their supportive roles to the Corps embarked on rebranding exercise which led to the changing of their regalia to make them appear both distinctive and dignifying. We went further to patent it in order to make it impossible for members of any agency or body to make use of the same uniform. Furthermore, there has been a re-evaluation of the activities of members to the ideals which it stands for. Those not living up to expectations were de- marshaled leaving the serious and committed ones.
- It is my hope that celebrities who are going to be inducted today would serve as sterling example of what Special Marshals should be in terms of using their platform to influence people’s attitude to traffic signs and road traffic crashes. This is imperative in view of the need to disabuse the minds of the people from the wrongly held belief that road traffic crash is either caused by the will of God or evil spirits. Rather, we know that it is possible to avoid it, if necessary precautions are taken and people show due consideration to one another on the roads. I therefore wish to appeal to all Nigerians to obey traffic rules and regulations and remain steadfast in these ember months and beyond, so that we could collectively deal with the monster of road traffic crashes.
- To the new Special Marshals, I wish to congratulate you all once again for this opportunity you have gotten to freely serve humanity. I enjoin all others in different fields to take a cue from you to become one of our volunteers in our collective efforts to restore sanity to the roads.
- By the power conferred on me as the Corps Marshals and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, it is my honour and privilege to admit you to the fold of FRSC as members of celebrity special Marshals in pursuit of our campaign against road carnage in Nigeria and to the glory of God.
- Thank you.
