Personality in Focus
We Have Grown to Be a Brand in 33 Years – Lagos FRSC Sector Commander, Ogungbemide
…says media is indispensable
The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Command, Olusegun Ogungbemide has said that the establishment of FRSC as an elite corps 33 years ago has significantly imparted on mitigating carnages and crashes on Nigerian roads.
While given his scorecard on Friday during a courtesy visit by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) led by its President, Mr. Samson Oki and other Executive members said “we have grown to become a brand in the last 33 years and as such we are the lead agency in road Safety.
“In 33 years of our existence, we have celebrated deaths enough but grateful we have been able to save lives enormously.
“At the point of establishment, FRSC was rated as elite corps and we have been able to replicate that in all of our responsibilities. Your coming is timely especially as we celebrate our 33 years of existence and we are grateful for that. We have been rated first as far as world standard is concerned.
“Other African countries see us as a model in road Safety management and have constantly come here to learn from us and copy our model.
While commending the Corp Marshall, Dr Oyeyemi Boboye for his foresight and dexterity in managing the corps that has led to tremendous progress, reduction of accidents, crashes and deaths, added that the Corp Marshall knew the mindset of the founding fathers of the corps.
“Our Corp Marshall is media savvy and whatever we do as an organization, if it is not projected by the media, there is hardly what is known in the public domain. FRSC is a product of the media but not oblivious of the fact that the media can make or mar you if you are not careful,” Ogungbemide reiterated.
While appreciating the invaluable contributions of the media, Ogungbemide pointed out that under his command, he would continue to collaborate and carry the media along in its programmes.
“When I go out for enforcement, I can only tackle 10% of the problems but one sentence from the media can reach millions of the publics. We are ready to collaborate with you because our aim is to reduce crashes by 15% and fatality by 20%.
“I met an indefatigable predecessor and we have brought in different innovations in terms of managing accidents especially at the Kara Bridge, which before now, was notorious for sundry truck crashes. We don’t have trucks falling and killing people there again.”
Apart from building the capacity of his men as part of his achievements since assuming the office as the Sector Commander, Ogungbemide pointed out that since repair works began at the 3rd Mainland Bridge, his men have been able to manage the traffic as well as cohere with other traffic management agencies like the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) and Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS).
Admitting that FRSC has not been a perfect organization devoid of some bad eggs, Ogungbemide explained that they have done everything possible to keep its personnel above board as they have maintained “zero tolerance” in discipline and ensured that every possible malfeasances are put under stringent check.
On his part, while commending the FRSC family for their ingenuity and innovativeness, the President of NAOSNP, Mr Samson Oki eulogized the corps for its responsiveness to the calls by Nigerians which has significantly reduced carnages and deaths on our road.
“Your 33 years of existence is not a fluke. We would continue to support you through our unbiased, intelligent reports of your activities. However, we use this opportunity to solicit for the inclusion of our members as Special Corp Marshall.
Soliciting for NAOSNP’s support to tackle drug use and alcoholism among drivers at the motor park as they abuse sachet gins, the Sector Intelligence Officer, SRC Victor Okelola said, “help us sensitize the public about the use of alcohol by drivers and the youths. This is one of the causes of accidents on our roads.
While thanking the Security News Publishers for their visit, the Sector Head of Operation, DCC Cyril Matthew said, “Media is the flagship of any political economy. If the country excel, it is because people are well informed. FRSC has never looked down on the media hence we appeal for your collaborative assistance. We are most grateful for your felicitations with us on our anniversary,” he reiterated.
Other FRSC officers present were the Head of Transport Standardization Organization,
ACC Aderemi Malomo; Head of Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, ACC Edith Eluka; Deputy Public Relations Officer, DRC Jesutomipe Mala; Protocol 1,
DRC Maureen Anyanmekaa and Protocol 11, ARC Ayoola Rebecca.
On the part of NAOSNP were the Advisory Board Member, Mr Okosun Dennis, Deputy Public Relations Officer, Theresa Moses, Mr Eric Elezuo and Mr Abbey Omotosho.
Former Presidential Spokesperson, Doyin Okupe has reportedly passed away.
TheNewsGuru reports that the senior adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan and, recently, the Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign died at 71, after a long struggle with cancer.
In October 2023, Okupe was hospitalized with prostate cancer and was flown to Israel for treatment.
However, it was learnt that his condition did not improve as expected.
Okupe had a history of prostate cancer, first diagnosed 16 years ago, and a later bout with sarcoma in his right shoulder.
Following his milestone achievements as Chairman of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), the Chairman/CEO of Executive Group, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan has been officially announced as the Patron of the Police advocacy initiative in Lagos State, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
The POCACOV is the Nigeria Police Force advocacy initiative to help young people avoid cultism and other vices. It uses advocacy, awareness, and sensitization to help young people avoid vices by conducting community outreaches to schools, inner cities, rural areas, and urban centres. It also helps to rehabilitate and reintegrate those who have been cut in the web of cultism, crimes, and social vices.
It would be recalled that Dr. Ayo Ogunsan took up the Chairmanship job about a year ago and was able to use his grand standing as the Board Member of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), prime supporter of security news beat association National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), and leadership of non-profit initiative, AKEM Foundation to champion his work and various impacting activities in the past one year. This is why POCACOV through its National Coordinator, ACP Olabisi Oluseyi Okuwobi on behalf of the Inspector General of Police announced his official elevation into the role of Patron of POCACOV in Lagos State.
The United Nations POLAC International Peace Advocate, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan expressed his gratitude to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun and the National Coordinator, ACP Okuwobi for the new role and promised to give direction to the new Chairman, Mr. Moses Oladimeji which will lead to improved performance of POCACOV in Lagos.
‘I will keep raiding our communities with love. We will give them food, shelter, etc. Police will do the Police work but I will do the policing of love’, Ogunsan affirmed.
This piece is contributed by Oki Samson
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Shamsedeen Ogunjimi as the new Accountant General of the Federation after a rigorous selection process.
A statement by Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga said his appointment, approved on Tuesday, takes effect from 7th March 2025, the same day the incumbent Oluwatoyin Madehin will retire.
Ogunjimi, 57, was first named as Madehin’s successor last December.
“A selection committee later chose him through a competitive, rigorous, and merit-based process involving Directors of Accounts in the Federal Civil Service. The committee conducted the process through three stages: a written assessment, an ICT proficiency test, and oral interviews.
“The selection process underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to promoting transparency, excellence, and competence in key public service positions,” the statement read in part.
Ogunjimi graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.
He also obtained a Master’s in Accounting and Finance from the University of Lagos.
He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
President Tinubu congratulated Ogunjimi on his appointment, and urged him to discharge his duties in the service with integrity, professionalism, and dedication to Nigeria’s service.
