Nigerian Red Cross Partners Stakeholders to Reduce Road Crashes
The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Prudential Zenith Life Insurance, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have teamed up for a road safety campaign aimed at educating road users and stakeholders in the transport sector about safety measures and accident response.
During a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday, the managing director of the Nigerian Red Cross Social Enterprise, Dr. Usman Bassi, outlined the objectives of the initiative. These include raising awareness, educating drivers, and equipping road users with basic first aid skills.
The campaign, named Safe Steps Road Safety Campaign, is scheduled to run from January to June 2025. It will focus initially on high-risk areas such as Lagos and Abuja, where road crashes are frequent.
Dr. Bassi stated, “The Red Cross will lead efforts to train drivers and bystanders in first aid, enabling them to act as first responders during accidents.” He emphasized the importance of tackling the high rate of road accidents in Nigeria, citing the over 2.1 million crashes recorded annually. The campaign will engage transport unions, ride-hailing drivers, and other road users in promoting a culture of safety.
The Red Cross will offer hands-on first aid training to ensure that anyone present at the scene of a crash can provide life-saving assistance before professional help arrives.
Charice Ige, Chief Transformation and Strategy Officer at Prudential Zenith Life Insurance, expressed the company’s support for the initiative. “As a life insurance company, we witness the devastating effects of road accidents daily. This campaign aligns with our mission to support Nigerian families,” she said. The campaign is also supported by the Prudence Foundation, Prudential PLC’s CSR arm.
Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, represented by Corps Commander Danladi-Boyi Apaji, praised the partnership, noting that it aligns with the FRSC’s 2024 strategic goals. He acknowledged that road crashes persist despite ongoing sensitization efforts, especially in urban areas like Lagos and Abuja.
Regarding traffic violations, particularly by VIPs, Mohammed emphasized that “no one is above the law,” and stated that the FRSC would use surveillance technology and social media to ensure accountability and deter reckless behavior.
