As Nigerians prepare for the yuletide and the attendant travels, the Ford Foundation has provided funding support to help the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) build the capacity of its paramedics.
This gesture will also assist FRSC operational officials to provide prompt and efficient accident rescue operations, preparedness and responsiveness to the very high accident rate on Nigerian roads.
During the first quarter of 2023 alone, 4,387 lives were lost and 14,108 individuals injured in road traffic accidents.
To this end, the Ford Foundation’s Office of West Africa (OWA) is supporting the commission to optimally operate and function effectively in the country.
Speaking in Abuja at the flag-off of the capacity building training programme recently, the foundation’s regional director in West Africa, Dr. ChiChi Aniagolu, stated in her opening remarks that, she hopes that all FRSC officers participating in the training would be equipped with enough skills.
to effectively carry out their duties because, with timely first aid and skilled first responders, more lives could be saved during accidents, especially as we approach festive season when road accidents significantly increase.
She further noted: “I am personally delighted that we are able to support this initiative of the FRSC because despite the harassment we citizens can sometimes experience from the FRSC personnel on the road, I am so proud of the work of the FRSC. We thank you for your service and commitments, and the risk and sacrifice you have been making for the past three decades to prevent and eradicate traffic accidents, attend to accident victims and create a safe motoring environment in Nigeria.”
Dr. Aniagolu further stated that the FRSC is not only saving lives, but also an essential link to the development of Nigeria because the safe movement of goods, services, and human mobility contributes to economic growth and development. This according to her, makes the safety of our roads an important public issue that needs to be a concern to everyone.
In attendance was the director, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Simon T. Tyungu, who commended the Ford Foundation for its support and the FRSC for its commitment to enhancing the capacity of its staff.
In addition to the training in Abuja, training will also take place in Kano, Ibadan, and Enugu for FRSC staff in those locations.
The Ford Foundation is an international non-profit, philanthropy, that seeks to advance social justice by addressing the various drivers of inequality. The Foundation has operated in Nigeria for over sixty years and promotes human rights, democracy, and social inclusion. During this period, it has partnered with several Nigerian agencies and invested in numerous innovative ideas and approaches to solving important social and economic problems.
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