Ember months: FCT minister tasks motorists on attitudinal change, road safety discipline

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged motorists to adopt the right attitude and take personal responsibility for their safety on the roads to reduce preventable crashes and deaths.

Wike made the call in Abuja on Thursday at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) FCT Town Hall Meeting themed “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.”

Wike, who was represented by Mr Adamu Gwary, Director of the Security Services Department, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), said that road safety begins with individual decisions and behavioural choices.

He noted that the theme of the meeting was not just a slogan but a directive that demands accountability from every road user.

“Everything we do on the road starts with our personal decisions, be it right or wrong, good or bad and the outcome reflects our attitude toward safety” he said.

Wike commended the FRSC FCT Sector Command for its consistent efforts in enforcing road safety standards and enlightening the public on responsible driving.

He noted that although personnel on the roads face challenges, their role remained critical in shaping public conduct and ensuring national development.

“It is always easier said than done when we talk about our attitude on the road. Our officers face difficulties daily, but that should not deter them.

“Their efforts are recognised, appreciated, and contribute to national growth,” he said.

The minister stressed that every action taken toward ensuring road safety, no matter how small, formed part of the larger process of building a safer society.

He urged residents of the FCT to cooperate with road safety officials, describing such cooperation as a civic duty.

Wike cautioned against reckless and distracted driving, reminding motorists that only those alive can celebrate life and festivities.

“As we enter the Ember Months, which come with increased travel and activities, we must be deliberate about our safety. Safety is not seasonal; it is a daily responsibility,” he said.

He also called on the FRSC to strengthen safety advocacy among the youth, noting that early education on road safety would help cultivate a generation of responsible drivers.

“Young people learn faster and understand messages better when engaged early. Let us take the safety campaign back to schools and homes,” he said.

Wike applauded the insights shared by guest speaker, retired Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM), Jonas Agwu and other participants, saying their discussions reinforced the need for conscious decisions that prioritise life and safety.

He reiterated the FCTA’s commitment to supporting the FRSC and other security agencies in their efforts to maintain safety and order in the territory.

Earlier, the FRSC Sector Commander, FCT command, Mr Felix Theman warned motorists to desist from all forms of distracted driving.

Theman stressed that inattention behind the wheel remains a leading cause of avoidable road crashes across the territory.

He lamented the rising cases of crashes linked to distractions such as phone calls, texting, eating, and other activities that take drivers’ attention off the road, describing them as avoidable and preventable.

“Many of the crashes we record are not because the roads are bad or vehicles are faulty, but because someone failed to pay attention when it mattered most,” he said.

Theman stressed that road safety begins with personal responsibility and urged all drivers to focus fully while driving, warning passengers against keeping silent when drivers become distracted.

He said that the Corps has intensified public enlightenment campaigns across motor parks, worship centres, garages, and the media to close knowledge gaps and sustain safe driving culture across the FCT.

Highlighting key crash-prone corridors, the commander named Airport Road, AYA–Nyanya–Mararaba, and Kubwa Expressway as areas of concern, attributing frequent crashes there to speeding, brake failures, and driving against traffic.

He assured that the Corps would sustain increased monitoring and enforcement on those routes while maintaining visibility across other parts of the FCT.

He warned of possible spikes in road traffic crashes due to increased travel, urging motorists to make deliberate efforts to reverse the trend through discipline and concentration.

“Let 2025 ember months be different. It is possible if only we take responsibility,” he said.

Relevant stakeholders present at the town hall meeting includes, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Director of Road Traffic Services (DRTS).

Others are representatives from National Road Union Transport Workers (NURTW), Female Drivers Association, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria,(RTEAN), Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners,(NARTO), retired FRSC Senior officers, Special Marshals among others.

They reaffirmed the commitment to ensuring safer roads across the territory, pledging sustained efforts toward reducing crashes and saving lives.

They also emphasised that with collective responsibility, road traffic crashes could be reduced, lives could be saved, and the nation’s roads made safer for all.