NAWOJ Partners FRSC for Improved Road Safety in Anambra
By Praise Chinecherem
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Anambra State Chapter has solicited collaboration with Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) in the promotion of Road Safety in Awka, the State Capital.
Chairperson of the group, Comrade Tochukwu Ifejika disclosed this during a visit to the new Sector Commander, CC Joyce Nnennaya Alexander, who assumed duty as the 15th substantive Sector Commander in the state who took over from CC Adeoye A Irelewuyi.
She said the visit was first to welcome the new Sector Commander and also a gesture of support and goodwill to foster a closer working relationship between NAWOJ and FRSC aimed at promoting road safety.
“Within the vision and mission of the association’s professional sorority, to identify, promote, and support great women graced with innate and professional capacities to permeate the world, NAWOJ deemed it proper to identify with your kind.
“A jinx breaker we call you being the first female Sector Commander in the State, you have proven your mettle having rose through ranks and files to attain this envious height. We are delighted to associate with you Sector Commander Sir,” she said.
NAWOJ boss further highlighted the role of the media in public enlightenment and urged the Command to utilise the various media outlets in spreading the message of road safety.
The group drew the attention of the Command to the alarming rate of fatal road crashes, expressing optimism that the malaise would drastically come to the barest minimum during Alexander’s tenure.
The team also emphasized on checkmating the neglect of the use of seat belts by drivers, drunk drivers on steering, among other reckless behaviours by drivers.
Responding, Commander Alexander expressed delight to receive the NAWOJ delegation, saying she felt honoured to be amongst the female pen pushers of the State.
“I am really honoured to have great people like you here today. I feel more of being in the midst of my people. I am more of a media than operations person having been the face of FRSC right from the early stage and almost throughout my career.
“I appreciate this gesture, I know with this partnership that my work will be seamless in this state. I perfectly understand the power of the media and more so women,” she noted.
While stating that she had come to spread the message of safety and ensure the citizens obeyed traffic law, she stressed that every traffic regulation was for the safety of the citizens.
“My major project is “MARC” Mothers Against Road Crashes, a campaign to enlighten mothers on road safety regulations.
“Within the next three weeks, FRSC will engage in public enlightenment and I am expressly partnering with NAWOJ. I am not interested in the number of bookings a day but in the improved road safety behavior of Ndi Anambra,” she expatiated.
Alexander however, noted that the Command needs the support of the State government to function effectively, identifying ignorance and recklessness as major contributing factors to road crashes.
Head of Operations Mrs. Okara Awassam in her vote of thanks described the visit as highly timely as for the first time in Anambra command a woman is at the helm of affairs.