The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, on Thursday launched a campaign to combat driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The initiative, aimed at reducing road crashes caused by impaired driving, is supported by the Federal Road Safety Corps, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, transport unions, and road safety advocacy groups.
The FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, stated this in a statement.
The campaign, which took place at the Jabi Central Motor Park, Abuja, sought to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence and promote stricter enforcement of traffic laws.
In her address at the event, Justice Dongban-Mensem stressed the severity of the issue, describing DUI as a dangerous offence that endangers lives.
She called for collective action to create a safer, more responsible driving culture and urged commuters to take responsibility for their safety on the road by speaking out when they witness unsafe driving practices.
“As a nation, we must take a collective stand against this menace and work towards creating a safer and more responsible driving culture,” she said.
The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, commended Justice Dongban-Mensem’s leadership in addressing DUI, highlighting the judiciary’s ongoing partnership with the FRSC to enhance road safety.
He called on Nigerians to educate themselves and others about the dangers of impaired driving, report reckless driving incidents, and support road safety initiatives.
“The President of the Court of Appeal’s stance against driving under the influence is a call to action for all Nigerians. We must work together to create a safer and more responsible driving culture.
“This includes educating ourselves and others about the dangers of driving under the influence, reporting incidents of reckless driving, and supporting initiatives that promote road safety,” Mohammed stated.
The representative of the NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa Rtd., also spoke at the event, declaring that driving under the influence would no longer be tolerated.
He pledged the agency’s commitment to collaborating with the FRSC to enforce the law fully.
The Chairman of the Jabi Motor Park, Gabriel Okeh, expressed his support for the initiative, calling it a step in the right direction for the safety of Nigerian citizens.
We commend her commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens and pledge our support for this initiative,” Okeh said.
(PUNCH)