Ahead of the Friday inauguration of General Muhamadu Buhari as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria as well as 29 state governors, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi, has admonished
Nigerians to obey the traffic rules and regulations while celebrating to ensure crash and obstruction-free events.
Oyeyemi gave the admonition in his 2015 Democracy Day message to the nation.
He pointed out that the event, which is marked on May 29 of every year as public holiday in Nigeria, is characterized by increased vehicular
movement across the nation’s highways, wide jubilation, traffic gridlocks, deaths and injuries, which occasion violation of traffic
rules and regulations.
He reiterated that traffic management during the period had been challenging in the past, but expected to be more this year due to the
inauguration of the new president and governors in some states.
He stated: “We have made adequate arrangements to effectively manage the expected rise in vehicular movement across the States of the
Federation, including the FCT. However, our major concern is the attitude of some motorists who may latch on the occasion to engage in
reckless driving, overloading and speed violation with negative repercussions, not only to themselves but other road users.
“All pedestrians must equally be mindful of their safety as they interact with the road to avoid being run-over by motorists. I urge
all Nigerians not to bask in the euphoria of celebration to engage in acts capable of undermining traffic order, thereby causing themselves
and others untoward and unnecessary pains.
“All Nigerians must use the road with the consciousness that it is only the living that celebrates. I am sure with such realization,
Nigerians would celebrate devoid of unpleasant outcome and live to celebrate more democracy days to come.”
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