By Nasir Shuaibu
The Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, Rauf Oyewole has called for stronger collaboration between the Chapel and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to promote road safety awareness and reduce road traffic crashes.
The chairman made the call today during a courtesy and familiarization visit to the State Command while highlighting the strategic role of journalists in educating motorists, passengers and other road users on safe driving practices and the need to comply with traffic regulations.
He said the Correspondents’ Chapel, which represents journalists working with national newspapers, news agencies and broadcast organisations not headquartered in Bauchi State, was strategically positioned to amplify road safety messages through its wide media networks.
According to him, a structured partnership between the Chapel and the FRSC would enhance public enlightenment campaigns and ensure that critical road safety information reaches a wider audience.
He noted that the Chapel and the FRSC had enjoyed years of cordial working relations, built on mutual trust and cooperation, adding that the relationship provided a strong foundation for more effective joint initiatives.
The chairman, who disclosed that he had served as the Chapel’s Financial Secretary for six years before his election as chairman, said his experience had given him a deeper understanding of the importance of sustained institutional collaboration.
He also recounted his personal experience of surviving a serious road accident near Duguri village earlier this year, describing it as a painful reminder of the dangers associated with reckless driving and disregard for road safety regulations.
He said the experience reinforced the need for motorists to observe speed limits, use seat belts correctly and avoid distractions while driving.
Rauf stressed that road safety education should not be limited to occasional campaigns but sustained through regular public awareness programmes, particularly during festive periods and other seasons characterised by increased vehicular movement.
He identified distracted driving, improper use of seat belts and disregard for traffic regulations as some of the risky behaviours that require targeted public enlightenment and behavioural change campaigns.
He therefore called for the establishment of structured joint programmes between the Correspondents’ Chapel and the FRSC Sector Command in Bauchi to strengthen information sharing and improve public compliance with road safety rules.
The chairman expressed optimism that closer cooperation between the two institutions would help save lives, reduce preventable road crashes and promote safer road use across the state.
He reaffirmed the Chapel’s readiness to deploy its media platforms to support the FRSC’s public enlightenment efforts and advance the shared goal of protecting road users.
Responding, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bauchi State Command, Corp Commander Caleb Luka said journalists play a critical role in educating motorists and other road users on traffic regulations, safe driving practices and the need to develop responsible attitudes on the roads.
According to him, effective public enlightenment and behavioural change require sustained cooperation between the Corps and media practitioners.
The discussion also highlighted the growing spread of road safety awareness, particularly the culture of caution popularly referred to as “Kalangu” in parts of Northern Nigeria.
Participants noted that continuous public education could encourage motorists to comply with traffic regulations and adopt safer driving habits.
The FRSC command further acknowledged its working relationship with journalists, including current and former special marshals, noting that media engagement had contributed to public awareness and efforts to reduce traffic violations.
The participants emphasised the need to sustain the partnership through regular engagement and consistent dissemination of road safety information.
They maintained that road safety remains a collective responsibility requiring the commitment of the FRSC, journalists, motorists and other road users to protect lives and property.
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