By Esther Kainebi-Daniel

Actor and filmmaker, Femi Adebayo was among others presented as celebrity marshals to the public by the Federal Road Corps (FRSC) Lagos Sector Command as part of activities to mark the International Youth Day (IYD).

With this year’s IYD theme as ‘Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable Sustainable World’, the FRSC in collaboration with International Initiative for the Advancement of SDGs in Africa (IIASDG) and Winstarbel Communications, organised a special event tagged ‘Road Safety Youth Hangout’, which drew a segment of the youth population from various walks of life like tech, music arts, and entrepreneurship, among others.

The hangout was sponsored by Lotus Bank, Flour Mills Nigeria (FMN), and Sovereign Trust Insurance (STI).

Speaking at the event, the Chief Host, FRSC Lagos Sector Commander, CC Babatunde Farinloye who was represented by ACC Esther Uzoma said:

“Today’s program is very important because 70 percent of victims of road crashes are youths. So if there is anything that is taking away the life of our youths, we have to address it.

“We are talking about the impact of road crashes and what we need to do to avert calamity. Drinking and drug abuse are some of the things that distract our youths, the emergence of the phone is another distraction so they need to be informed so as not to get involved in road crashes.”

The sector Commander noted that for Africa and indeed Nigeria, the youth constitutes about 50 percent of the population. Therefore, adequate attention must be focused on them in order that they can reach their full potentials.

On the unveiling of the celebrity marshsls, whose induction ceremony is slated for a later date, Farinloye revealed: “Celebrity marshals are part of the FRSC Special Marshals and are those people who have volunteered their time to carry out road safety work with us.

“They are not paid like the regular marshals. They voluntarily key into this humanitarian work which is a work of saving lives.”

“We can remember Da’Grin, if he was alive today, maybe he would have been a member of the FRSC celebrity marshals. Nobody is exempted from impact of road crashes so everyone is needed,” the sector commander added.

Asked what the agency is doing to curb the abuse of alcohol and drugs among drivers, the FRSC boss said “through the relationship of FRSC with NURTW, there is no motor park where they sell alcoholic beverages and they are complying with it.

“We also do public enlightenment every morning into motor parks that we call Early Morning Cry to tell them the problem that goes with drinking and driving.”

Admonishing the youths at the event, the secretary to the State Government (SSG), Lagos, who was the Special Guest, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, who was represented by Omotayo Gbajabiamila, stated that the International Youth Day day is celebrated worldwide to focus on the opportunities and challenges which come with the youth. She oted that youths require orientation and should be more aware of their activities.

She said, “Do not take drugs, limit your going out because when you are tired and you are driving, there can be accident. You should know that your future lies in your hands. All the things that will not make you succeed and live long, leave them.”

On other factors leading to road crashes, Salu-Hundeyin said, “We have badly trained drivers, everybody just wants to get on the road. Then many gadgets like tyres, brake, people don’t check and they get easily distracted on the road.

“Some of our law enforcement officers do not have the right attitude to deal with situations, so there is this impunity that people have. Adults should pay attention to their children as no child is too old for you to speak to.”
Counselling youths on the importance of problem solving to life impact, the guest speaker, Dr. Lanre Olusola, a foremost life coach, said: “If you want to make money or leave a legacy in this world, solve problems. The problem you want to solve, tie it to the skills, knowledge, and the passion that you have.

“If you do, you will live a fulfilled life and prosperous life. When you know where you are going and have seen the picture of your desired future, then make the right decisions.

“As you live a selfless life, don’t forget that self-care is number one thing that you need to stay alive. Take care of yourself.”

In his brief remark, the newly unveiled Celebrity Marshal, Femi said: “The Road Safety Youth Hangout is to awaken the awareness of our youths to be conscious of their lives. For me, this is an excellent event which I am excited about.”

“The fact speaks for itself. We have had cases of sudden death caused by the use of substances and we have seen so many celebrities that we love whose sudden death has happened by these harmful substances.

“We don’t want anyone to end their lives like that. So my advice to youth celebrities and youths in general is to avoid these substances especially when you will handle automobiles and other forms of communication,” he added.

Other celebrities who performed at the event include comedian Demolaismyname; music artistes May D, Dresticks, Kholy Jay, among others.

Counselling youths on the importance of safety, Dresticks said, “Safety first in everything. You have to fix your mind to stay alive. A lot of horrible situations can be avoided when we maintain safety first.”