A unit of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has stressed the need for pupils to have basic safety awareness to stay out of danger while walking or inside vehicles.
At a safety programme, which took place at the Nigeria Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos, for primary and secondary pupils, the Unit Commander, Mr Samuel Ogundayo, said the training was aimed at building capacity, knowledge and skills, particularly on the use of Zebra crossing.
He said the unit, as part of its corporate social responsibility, decided to bring road safety closer home by taking pupils to task on the tips to stay alive while on the roads.
According to Ogundayo, the programme, with the theme: “Keep The Child Safe” was organised in collaboration with the Golden Penny Pasta and Noodles, to educate pupils about safe road culture, and the importance of safety and security.
The pupils were taught how to cross the highway using Zebra crossing.
“We are here to celebrate our children, but unfortunately our joy is not complete because some of our children have been kidnapped. Many were exposed to danger and some are being killed by careless drivers. We need to protect them from harm and danger,” he said.
He said it was important for every child to understand basic traffic rules and laws, such as road signs, markings and signals to cross the roads.
According to him, it is also unlawful for any child below 18 years to drive any vehicle.
He advised children “not to cross the road in between parked vehicles’’, as it will be difficult for drivers to see them.
Ogundayo urged the parents of under-aged children and babies to ensure that their children sit on the back seat of the car. He also warned children against having any sharp object or knife in their school bags as it might be harmful to them.
He asked them to avoid wearing black cloths especially at night and to walk facing oncoming vehicles.
Ogundayo advised school proprietors to ensure that school buses are road worthy, adding that FRSC will impound school buses that are not road worthy.
The guest speaker, Miss Taiwo Amusa, advised the pupils to be at alert before crossing the road and pay attention to road signs. “Red is stop, Amber is get ready to move and Green is start going,” he said.
Some of the schools at the event are Muslim Junior Comprehensive School, Mushin, Honey Home Primary School, Aguda and Rodiyah Group of Schools, Mushin.
Dignitaries at event include an official of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Esther Ige, Mrs Vera Akerele and FRSC unit head Oshodi, Mrs Adobi Larry -Agugor.
