By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Bigger responsibilities came for over 55 persons as Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) inducted them as Special Marshals.
The agency also decorated two personalities with the investiture of Honorary Special Marshals in Enugu State.
The FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, who addressed the inductees in Enugu, South-East Nigeria, urged them to always be good ambassadors of the Corps and discharge their duties impartially to humanity and the nation.
Mohammed, represented by the Zonal Commanding Officer, FRSC Zone 9, Assistant Corps Marshal Anthony Oko, urged the new Special Marshals to ensure that the standard of dedication and discipline remained uncompromised.
According to him, volunteering to serve to ensure the life and safety of other Nigerians without thinking of any reward is a great sacrifice worthy of emulation “and only God can truly reward you.”
The Corps Marshal added: “I thank you for volunteering everything to join the workforce of the Corps and assist us achieve our mandate of ensuring zero road crashes and safety of all on roads especially in Enugu State.
“I want you to abide and uphold the dedication and discipline within the Corps and strive to always put the Corps in a positive light as you serve humanity and Nigerians.”
Corroborating his position, the Sector Commander, FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, said that in many ways, the Special Marshals stand in the gap to fill the vacuum due to the inadequacies of regular Marshals.
“They serve as a collaborative and supportive workforce of the Corps bringing time, expertise, material and other resources and capital to the table.
“That is why we are gathered here today for the induction of this group of volunteers to formally bring them into the FRSC family and equip them with the powers and requisite authority.
“This would enable them to carry out this responsibility of complementing the efforts of the regular Marshals at ensuring safety on our roads.
“This group emerged after a meticulous screening and training process,” Agbakoba said.
The Sector Commander urged the new Special Marshals to work in accordance with the dictates of the spirit of volunteerism, which is the driving force behind their enlistment to serve within the Corps.
Earlier, Enugu State Coordinator of Special Marshals, Mr Anthony Orji, said that road safety remained a collective responsibility, adding that more Nigerians should volunteer as Special Marshals to reduce road crashes nationwide.
Orji also commended the Special Marshals, who are not paid but spend their personal resources to see that everybody is safe on all roads.
The Special Guest of Honour at the event, Chief Emeka Mba, Chief Executive Officer of Afia Radio and Television, said that his organisation would partner with FRSC to air road safety messages and campaigns to Nigerians.
One of the Honorary Special Marshals, Chief Felix Ejim, assured that he would continue to promote and invest in anything that would promote safety of road users and make FRSC work easier in the state.
