Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has been honoured as the Patron of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Special Marshals in recognition of his administration’s support for road safety initiatives and commitment to protecting lives on Nigerian highways.
The honour was conferred on the governor on Wednesday in Lokoja during the Award and Investiture Dinner held as part of the 2026 Strategic Stakeholders’ Conference on Road Safety organised by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Road Safety Matters, Dr. Suberu Yusuf-John.
Speaking at the ceremony, FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, said the appointment reflected the Corps’ confidence in Governor Ododo’s leadership and commitment to advancing the activities of the Special Marshals in the state.
He expressed optimism that the governor’s influence would encourage greater public participation in road safety campaigns, deepen awareness on safe road use and promote stronger collaboration among government institutions, the private sector and community stakeholders.
Mohammed reaffirmed the FRSC commitment to partnering with the Kogi State Government through road safety education, emergency response, traffic management, data-driven interventions and capacity-building programmes aimed at reducing road crashes and fatalities across the state.
Also Speaking, the representative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/Ochenuel Mobility, Dr. Emmanuel John, described the honour as timely, noting that Kogi’s strategic location as the gateway between northern and southern Nigeria places it at the centre of the country’s transportation network.
According to him, the increasing movement of people, goods and services through the state has heightened road safety challenges, including crashes, traffic congestion and avoidable deaths, stressing that road safety should be treated as a public health, economic and social development priority requiring sustained political commitment.
John further called for integrated, evidence-based and sustainable road safety policies, warning that every life lost on the nation’s highways represents a tragic loss to families and a setback to national development.
Responding through the Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Sunday Faleke, Governor Ododo thanked the FRSC and Dr. Yusuf-John for the recognition and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote safer roads and save lives.
The event also featured the presentation of a documentary showcasing Dr. Yusuf-John’s first year in office. Awards were also presented to several distinguished personalities, including Governor Ododo, the FRSC Corps Marshal and the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja.
