News
Avoid Night Journey, It’s dangerous, FRSC Corps Marshal, Warns fleet operators, others
Joel Ajayi
Arising from the dangers, risks and the rising cases of fatalities occasioned by road traffic crashes recorded at night, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed has warned fleet operators, other commercial drivers and patronisers of night trips; including private vehicle owners to desist henceforth from it.
He emphasised that night trips which are often characterised by poor visibility, fatigue, sleeping on wheels, excessive speed among others are not only unsafe, but utterly dangerous.
In a statement signed by Corps Commander Corps Public Education Officer FRSC Headquarters Olusegun Ogungbemide on Thursday in Abuja.
This warning came while reacting to some reports of fatal crashes that were recently recorded at night, which have led to the death of several road users and left others with different degrees of injuries.
The Corps Marshal while speaking extensively on why night trips should be avoided, lamented that on 8 September 2024 alone, an avoidable fatal crash occurred in Lapai, Niger State where 4 vehicles were caught up in an inferno that killed 37 people on the spot. This crash occurred as a result of a combination of factors namely; speed violation and fatigue
Similarly, having maintained that crashes that occur at night are more fatal than the ones that happen in the day time, the Corps Marshal also lamented that while we are yet to recover from the shock of the Lapai crash, another one occurred on Thursday 12 September, 2024, killing 18 people still because of night trips.
The Corps Marshal disclosed that intelligence report reveals that most fleet operators and other vehicle owners, including private vehicle owners who are addicted to night journeys, do so for selfish economic gains, unnecessary overloading of vehicles with animals, passengers and goods to evade arrest by FRSC patrol teams.
He warned that in as much as the Corps does not have the statutory powers to ban night trips, it has become very critical for patronisers of night trips to retrace their steps and plan their journeys in the day time, because often times, when crash occurs away from FRSC rescue points, it is always difficult to access help for motorists at night.
In the same vein, while listing out the dangers associated with night travels, like poor visibility, fatigue, sleeping on wheels, dangerous driving, overloading, speeding among others, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed also warned passengers whose journeys could wait till the next day, to resist any temptation that could lead them into patronising fleet operators at night.
The Corps Marshal warned that these deaths are not only avoidable and preventable but totally unacceptable hence the need for all to take caution.
News
Ogunlesi backs Tinubu reforms as FIRS chairman Adedeji highlights export-led economy
Joel Ajayi
After a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Nigerian-born global investor Adebayo Ogunlesi expressed renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, indicating potential mega investments across energy, aviation, and port sectors.
He was joined in that optimism by Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who stressed that the reforms were laying the groundwork for an export-driven economy.
Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ogunlesi praised the sweeping policy changes under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of a refinery already exporting aviation fuel.
“We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.
Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities.
“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased.
Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables. Drawing on his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he noted Nigeria’s massive untapped gas reserves.
On aviation, he acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and signaled interest in similar ventures locally.
He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria, a point Tinubu reportedly challenged him on.
“He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.
International investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who was also present, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s growth story.
“When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”
Echoing the sentiment, FIRS chairman Adedeji described the reforms as the foundation for an export-led economy.
“We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.
With global players signaling confidence, the momentum for Nigeria’s economic repositioning is gaining ground, setting the stage for transformative investments in key industries.
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