Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, on Saturday, thanked the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for its support and contributions to the development of the state over the years.
Ambode expressed the appreciation at the 2nd Corps Marshal Sports Championship held inside the main bowl of the National Stadium in Abuja.
The event, tagged “Safety Games 2018″, is part of activities marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the FRSC, Nigeria’s lead traffic management agency.
Represented by the Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Kweku Tandoh, Ambode said the FRSC had been a “good partner of the Lagos State Government’’ since the establishment of the agency in 1988.
“This has been a very important relationship for Lagos because, as the state which hosts the highest number of vehicles and drivers in Nigeria, road safety has always been paramount.
“We will therefore like to thank the FRSC for its support and cooperation over the years which has aided our drive towards becoming one of the foremost metropolitan cities in the world.
“The Lagos State Government is particularly interested in this championship because it gives us the opportunity to see the FRSC officers in a much more relaxed mood.’’
The governor, who was the chairman of the occasion, congratulated the management, officers and men of the corps for the “exemplary manner’’ in which they had undertaken their mandate over the years.
He said the FRSC’s workforce comprised vibrant young men and women with talents that could be harnessed for Nigeria’s success in international sporting activities.
Mr Solomon Dalong, Minister of Youth and Sports, who is the special guest of honour, described the FRSC as a blessing to the country.
Dalong, who was represented by Tayo Oreweme, a director in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, lauded the FRSC for its commitment to safety of lives and properties on the highways.
“I congratulate the management and staff of the FRSC for weathering the storms and coming out as a worthy example of a lead agency in traffic administration and safety management not only in Africa but in the world.
“No doubt, one of the secrets of such remarkable performance by the corps over the years is the physical fitness and mental alertness of its staff through their active involvement in sporting activities like these championship events.’’
Corps Marshall of the FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said the “Safety Games’’ was a biennial event designed partly to produce high-performance athletes that could represent the country in local and international sporting competitions.
Oyeyemi said the games were important especially now that the Nigerian Olympic Committee is focusing its searchlight on military and paramilitary agencies, and schools in its scout for new talents.
“The Safety Games 2018 is the second of its kind. The first was held in Abuja in 2010 where sports men and women competed in various sporting events and winners were rewarded with various awards and prizes.
“The Corps has trained quality sportsmen and women whose performances have been exceptional in Nigeria.
“We will continue to train more sports persons, while it is worthy to mention that the Road Safety Football Club is currently participating in the ongoing Nigeria National Professional League, and is still the FCT FA Champion,’’ he said.
The corps marshal added that the FRSC Handball Team was currently the Nigerian champions and had represented the country in African club championships.
Oyeyemi aid the Corps was poised to ensure that its officers and men remained physically and mentally alert with its attendant health benefits and optimal job performance.
The games featured athletic events such as 100m, 200m and relay; football, raffle draw and tug of war, among others.
In attendance were representatives of military and paramilitary agencies, including Customs, Immigration, Prison Service, Civil Defence and Fire Service, among others.
