National News

FRSC Sector Commander Commended Zulum For Promising To Assist With Tow Truck

Published

3 years ago

October 29, 2022

News Net Global

FRSC Sector Commander Commended Zulum For Promising To Assist With Tow Truck

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Borno State Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) Boyi Utten has commended the Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum for promising to assist their work with a tow truck.

Utten said that with the lingering insurgency in Borno, the delivery of the truck would go a long way in sorting out problems of broken down vehicles within and outside the Maiduguri metropolis.

He told this reporter during an Interview after the flag off of this year’s ember month campaign that his agency was lucky to be in Borno at these trying times because a tow truck will enable them handle broken down vehicles where ever they are within the state.

This is because a lot of commuter vehicles have been abandoned in odd places for a long time before usually private tow vehicles are brought down to drag them out of the way for repairs.

On functional vehicles, he maintained that the State govt has been magnanimous enough to refurbish three vehicles for their usage even before 2 more “an ambulance and a fire truck” came in for their support.

On office spaces, he said that existing units are operational where there is respite but those in the central and northern Borno still have security issues because they can’t move in yet due to the insurgency problem.

” Apart from Bama which is now stable, our unit from Dikwa are yet to return but they do patrol along the Mafa, Dikwa axis because peace is gradually returning to some of these affected council areas.

” However, in terms of presence and the ability to do the job, there is no council area without representative. They feed us with lots of vital information within crash and road safety related matters. But apart from Bama where our unit is functioning, we have a unit Command in Kwayakusa and one in Biu council area” said commander Boyi.

Speaking on car crashes in the state generally, Boyi noted that accidents are relatively low in Borno because many of the roads are not well plied by commuters because of the 12 year insurgency.

“We have a road side clinic however in Beneshiek which covers accidents along these section of the road betwwork. With time we hope to open up a zebra to be able to take care of crashes or any form of eventuality arising from crashes from commuters.

Speaking on security and arms coverage for operations of the Corp, Commander Boyi who assumed duty about 6 months ago went on ” it’s true that we are not yet armed but we have so many other security agencies helping us to make progress in this war theatre. We are doing our best to serve the people of Borno state and we will surely continue.”

He posited.

Speaking earlier during the launch of this year’s Ember months campaign, Boyi noted that “it is an annual event designed by the Corps, mainly for sensitization and reminding of all stakeholders in the Road transportation Sectors and other road users to be cautious while driving on the highway, because the Ember months usually precipitate higher vehicular and human movements which do lead to Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) and attendants injuries and deaths.

“The Ember months campaign flag off also gives us the opportunity to appeal to drivers to adopt defensive driving techniques while plying the roads in this period as it is another time we remind ourselves of the inherent dangers associated with driving on our highways and the need to imbibe positive attitudinal change and to be more careful in order to reduce road Traffic Crashes to the barest minimal level.

“The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Avoid Speeding, Over Loading and Unsafe Tyres to Arrive Alive’. The choice of this year’s theme is premised on the fact that over speeding and tyre burst have been identified as some of the prevailing causes of Road Traffic Crashes with higher numbers of fatalities especially during this period as a result of a driver’s attitude.

“Statistically according to World Health Organization (WHO), 1.35 million people are kîlled on our roads around the world. Everyday almost 3,700 people are killed globally in Crashes involving cars, buses, Motor cycles, bicycles, trucks and pedestrians being knocked down.

Also Read: https://dailypost.ng/2022/10/27/ndlea-boss-warns-drivers-against-use-of-hard-drugs/

“In Nigeria, other factors that contribute to fatal crashes are: Overloading, over speeding, wrongful over taking and dangerous driving among others.”

Reeling out statistics from Borno roads, the commander said that “Consequently, here in Borno State, so far, about 35 road crashes have been recorded this year, involving 42 vehicles and 302 people, while 61 people out of 302 people were killed with 196 others sustaining various degrees of injuries.

“The prevalent causes were attributed to Over Speeding, Over Loading ,Dangerous Driving, Failure to install speed limiting device, Lane indiscipline, absence of wipers during rainy seasons,Faulty lighting system, route violation, Use of phone while driving, Poor vehicle maintenance among others.”

Borno State Commissioner of Police, Abdu Umar represented by the Assistant Commissioner of police (ACP) Bello Fago called on stake holders to imbibe what has been taught to them during the enlightenment campaign which took place at the premises of the Borno Express transportation company.

He remarked that the main concerns of commuters during the period under review should be “overspeeding, purchase of inferior spare parts especially breaks and off course miss use of all manner of hard drugs.

The Commissioner of transportation Abubakar Tijani who represented Governor Babagana Zulum commended the FRSC for keeping faith with the people all these years in-spite of the lingering insurgency in the state.

” I must commend you for helping us in keeping our people alive in-spite our numerous challenges on our roads

” We are also happy with you for keeping the synergy with other security agencies alive. We are aware of the vulnerability of some of the roads in the state yet you continue savings lives and properties on a daily basis.

” I call on the FRSC and the road users to be more cautious, sensitive and vigilante in controlling these issues and more.

On overload by commuters, Zulum called on various groups in the motor park to initiate new strategies to bring the menace to the nearest minimum.

Several other security heads and partners in the road sector were present including the Nigerian Customs, immigration, civil defense, the Department of state services, National youth service Corp (NYSC) and related unions like the national association of roat transport Owners (NARTO).

FRSC Sector Commander Commended Zulum For Promising To Assist With Tow Truck

National News

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

Published

9 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

By: Michael Mike

The DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote has approved the promotion of 523 Staff of the Commission.

The promotion, according to a statement on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adegoke said: “This is a statutory part of the performance reward system for Staff who sat and met the pre-requisite conditions as spelt out in the Public Service Rules (PSR) in the 2025 promotion exercise.

He disclosed that accordingly, two staff members were promoted to the Director’s cadre (GL 17), and eight staff members moved to the Deputy Director cadre (GL 16) and 35 staff staff members promoted to the Assistant Director cadre (GL 15).

He further disclosed that 35 staff were promoted to the level of Chief Identity Officers (GL 14), with 109 moving to Assistant Chief Identity Officers (GL 13).

Adegoke said 113 officers moved to the rank of Principal Identity Officer (GL 12), while 82 were promoted to Senior Identity Officer ranks (GL 10), and 130 to the rank of Identity Officer 1 ( GL 9).

The DG/CEO congratulated all the promoted staff and charged them to see the promotion as an opportunity to serve the country better. She reiterated zero tolerance for extortion and warned staff to desist from it.

Engr Coker-Odusote, furthermore, encouraged all staff members of the Commission to work harder in the coming year 2026 and ensure the successful implementation of the National Identification Number project. She reiterated her commitment to prioritise staff welfare and ensure the dignity of labour.

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

National News

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

Published

9 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has congratulated Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, on his 67th birthday, saying his exemplary and progressive leadership within the All Progressives Congress (APC), his state, and the nation at large is worthy of emulation.

He noted that as Chairman of the PGF, an umbrella body of Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uzodimma has demonstrated exceptional capacity to unite and galvanise the party’s Governors towards achieving a collective vision for Nigeria’s development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Vice President on Saturday, described the age of 67 as an important milestone in the life of Uzodimma, noting that the special moment reflects how far the Governor has come, and sets the stage for what lies ahead.

Acknowledging how Uzodimma’s “exemplary leadership as Executive Governor of Imo State continues to inspire confidence and progress,” VP Shettima described the PGF Chairman as a committed servant of Nigeria.

“Your recent appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Renewed Hope Ambassador is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication to the ideals of our administration and your proven ability to articulate and champion the transformative agenda of the Renewed Hope mandate across our nation,” the VP told the Governor.

This singular honour, Senator Shettima said, reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in Governor Uzodimma’s leadership and commitment to national progress.

He observed that the Imo State Governor’s strategic governance, infrastructural achievements, and dedication to the prosperity of his state exemplify the progressive leadership Nigeria needs at this crucial time.

The Vice President prayed the Almighty God to grant Governor Uzodimma continued wisdom, good health, and strength to sustain his “remarkable service to Imo State and Nigeria.”

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

National News

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

By: Michael Mike

The Europe Union (EU) is investing an additional €45 million in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The package was signed by the Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela in Brussels.

A statement on Thursday by EU read: “At the EU-Nigeria Digital Open Day, which just took place in Brussels, a €45 million programme completing the EU Digital Economy Package for Nigeria was signed between Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.

“This investment will further support the cooperation in digital sector between Nigeria and the European Union.”

The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said: “Global Gateway is about delivering new opportunities, and the EU-Nigerian cooperation in the digital area has a very strong potential to do exactly that. Our approach to digitalisation is based on skills-transfer, open standards, data protection, privacy and security. This way, we make sure that technologies truly enrich human lives. The new package will take our efforts even further by supporting modern e-public services and investing in the skills that will prepare Nigeria’s youth for the digital future.”

The Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani added: The EU–Nigeria digital economy cooperation reflects our shared belief that digital transformation must provide a platform for growth in productivity driven by technology. As part of this, Project Bridge provides a commercially sustainable entry point for European investors and suppliers to participate in deploying an open-access fibre network at scale. Combined with our leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure and programmes such as 3 million Technical Talents, Nigeria offers European businesses a market where talent, demand and policy alignment converge to support long-term investment and expansion.”

The programme signed on Thursday includes a flagship Global Gateway support to the Project Bridge that aims to deploy 90 000 km of fibre-optic backbone across Nigeria. This project is the country’s most ambitious digital investment supported by loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank and African Development Bank.
The €45 million grant supports the preparation of this strategic project with technical assistance and equipment in three complementary ways: for the detailed fiber optic network design, for local skills development and for the supply chain deployment with the mobilisation of the EU private sector.

The EU programme will also contribute to modernise Nigeria’s public administration through secure, user-friendly digital services. it also involves targeted support for Nigeria’s nationwide digital-skills programme, helping train a new generation of technicians, engineers and IT specialists.

According to the statement, this is essential to create new jobs, because large-scale digital projects can only work if the local workforce can maintain, operate and innovate on these networks.

The objective of the EU-Nigeria Open Digital Day was to facilitate access to information for European investors and suppliers interested in participating in the Nigerian digital ecosystem. The focus was on the Project Bridge, presented as an opportunity for collaborations between the EU tech sector and Nigeria.

With this €1.7 billion flagship project is projected to extend Nigeria’s total fibre to 125 000 km (+70%), making it the third-longest terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure in Africa, following Egypt and South Africa.

Digitalisation is a priority area for the EU-Nigeria partnership as reflected in the €820 million Digital Economy Package launched in 2022 under the EU Global Gateway strategy. The EU-Nigeria collaboration in this sector spans from connectivity to digital skills, entrepreneurship, service and governance with multiple projects.

Nigeria’s digital economy has potential to create jobs, foster economic growth and open greater democratic space in Africa. Nigeria hosts big companies, and Lagos offers digital and business ecosystem with incubators, access to finance and digital service platforms. It has the biggest e-commerce market in Africa with 87 platforms, employing some 2.9 million people.

It is also leading on the continent on digital and start-ups – of the 8 existing African unicorns, 6 are Nigerian, with impressively dynamic States (Lagos) eager to create an ecosystem that promotes innovation, youth and growth largely led by the digital sector.

Global Gateway is the EU’s positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.

The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions.

Together, they aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy