Ndi Anambra, FRSC  Mark World Day Of Remembrance For Road Traffic Victims With Mass In Awka

Over five hundred Ndi Anambra from all walks of life, led by the Sector Commander, Anambra State Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Adeoye Irelewuyi have joined in a solemn mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Awka to remember road traffic victims.

Correspondent, Chibuzor Obidike was part of the mass and reports that the third Sunday of every month of November, was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005, as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

The Day offers an opportunity to increase public awareness of the burden of road traffic collisions on individuals, families and communities and to emphasize the need to initiate and promote efforts to control this major public health and development problem.

During the mass, tributes were paid to all those who lost their lives to road accidents while a minute silence was observed in their honour.

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, the Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor in a homily said the day required serious attention due to the need for safety on the road as so many have been victims of road crashes and assured the command that the church will always commit their activities in prayer.

Speaking on the occasion, the FRSC Anambra State Sector Commander, Mr. Irelewuyi who spoke through Deputy Corps Commander in charge of Administration and human resources, Chika Akachukwu, said the remembrance was an exercise to reflect on the value of life and advised road users to always exercise caution and be patient on the roads, describing the day as a crucial tool to advocate better support for road traffic victims.

He said that the day calls for reduction of speed as a panacea to preventing many deaths and serious injuries and called for prayers at all times for those who use the roads and appreciated the efforts of the state government in supporting the command.

The State Coordinator of Special Marshals, Mr. Patrick Esumai, noted that FRSC is not out to harass people or unnecessarily collect fines but to ensure safety and protect lives, advising road users to obey road signs and cooperate with the Commission in the fight against road crashes.

The theme of this year’s Remembrance Day is “Act for low speed and Act for low-speed streets” with slogan as “remember, support, act”.

This year’s remembrance in the state also featured prayers in mosques and churches as well as a visitation to road traffic victims in hospitals.