 in Katsina State has issued a heartfelt end-of-year message, reminding Nigerians that no journey, no matter how urgent, is worth the){kind=link}
As Christians celebrate Christmas and the year winds down, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Katsina State has issued a heartfelt end-of-year message, reminding Nigerians that no journey, no matter how urgent, is worth the loss of a single life.
In a reflective Christmas and New Year address, the Sector Commander, Maxwell K. Lede, expressed gratitude to stakeholders and road users across the state, describing the festive season as a time for thanksgiving, renewal and renewed commitment to protecting human life on the highways.
Christmas, he noted, goes beyond celebration. It is a season that calls attention to the dignity of life and the collective duty to preserve it. For the FRSC, road safety is not just a statutory responsibility but a moral trust owed to every family, traveler and community that depends on safe roads.
Reviewing the outgoing year, the Corps Commander praised the support of federal, state and local government institutions, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and transport unions, whose cooperation strengthened enforcement, enlightenment and emergency response efforts across the state. He also commended media organisations, civil society groups, schools and community associations for amplifying road safety messages and promoting safer road culture.
Above all, he paid tribute to ordinary road users — drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists — whose patience, compliance and cooperation, he said, have helped save lives and reduce needless tragedies. “You are the reason we exist,” he affirmed.
However, the message struck a sober note as it addressed persistent road crashes, many of them avoidable. Speeding, overloading, fatigue, dangerous overtaking and disregard for traffic rules, the commander warned, continue to turn highways into scenes of sorrow, shattering families and leaving lasting scars on communities.
“Speed gives an illusion of arrival,” he cautioned, “but it destroys without warning.” He urged passengers to speak up against reckless driving, stressing that silence in the face of danger is not caution, but risk.
Reaffirming the Corps’ resolve, the FRSC Katsina Command pledged to sustain fair but firm enforcement, deepen public enlightenment across highways, motor parks, markets, churches, mosques and schools, and strengthen emergency rescue and hospital coordination. The commander also commended FRSC officers and marshals for their dedication, often under harsh conditions, and assured residents that efforts would intensify in the coming year.
Looking ahead, the Command plans to step up campaigns against overloading and excessive speed, expand patrols on critical corridors, strengthen collaboration with transport unions and traditional institutions, and invest more in driver education and youth engagement.
The message also challenged fleet owners, corporate organisations, parents, clerics and community leaders to treat road safety as a shared responsibility and a way of life, not merely a law to be enforced.
As festive travel peaks, motorists were advised to plan journeys carefully, rest adequately, avoid night driving where possible, shun overloaded vehicles and obey traffic officials. “Let our celebrations not be stained by avoidable grief,” the commander appealed.
The address ended with a message of hope and prayer — for peaceful homes, safe journeys and a new year defined by stronger partnerships and safer roads.
“Life has no duplicate,” the commander reminded Nigerians. “With God’s help and our collective effort, every journey can end in peace.”
About The Author
