By Ijeoma Okigbo
Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the President of Court of Appeal, says her foundation, Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD) is using sports to create awareness on road safety.
Dongban-Mensem, who stated this at the just concluded International Road Crash Victims Africa Conference (IRCVAC) in Abuja, said that sports serves as a key force in steering the narrative.
The event was organised by KRSD in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to amplify the campaign of safety on the road.
According to Dongban-Mensem, sports plays a key role in driving the discourse.
“The purpose of this outing is to enlighten Nigerians on the safety of our roads. We want to use the sports programme to enlighten people to be mindful and take responsibility in driving.
“Whenever we are on the road, whether driving, riding a bicycle, motorcycle or walking, we want to draw attention to everyone on the need for safety on our roads.
“We have had too many victims of road crashes,’’ she reiterated.
“We are not actually limiting ourselves to anything but we opted for golf and walking because they are avid travellers while playing the game just as cycling requires the use of road.
“In developed countries, there are cycling routes which are lacking here in Nigeria. Therefore, road users need to be enlightened on the need to be safe and mindful while using the road.
“Right now, we have about 150 golfers that registered to participate in the exercise.
“We also have about 400 persons that indicated interest in walking. As for cycling, they are about 300 athletes that participated.
“This is the first edition involving sports to support the International African Congress for road victims but we have sponsored few other tournaments,” she explained.
Speaking on the occasion, Olusegun Runsewe, the President of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), said the federation would support any initiative to develop humanity.
“This event around sports is about crash and safety in Africa and the federation is in support of any positive movement to develop the humanity and coexistence among Nigerians.
“We hope that this awareness will reach as many Nigerians as possible, such that by 2030, the issue of road crashes would have been reduced to the barest minimum in Nigeria.
“We are proud and happy to connect, network and identify with this noble event,” Runsewe added.
One of the cyclists, Lawrence Braye, an engineer and entrepreneur, said he travelled form Lagos to Abuja in support of the campaign.
“I flew down from Lagos for this event to support one of my friends who is part of the organising team and this is because this initiative is a good course.
“I studied mechanical engineering and I understand the concept of road safety and how important it is for everyone.
“Everyone wants to be alive and stay safe and so having the foundational knowledge of what road safety is about is key.
The conference brought together stakeholders across Africa from government agencies, law enforcement, medical experts, NGOs, transport unions to discuss effective strategies also for post-crash care and justice for victims.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 1,000 golfers, cyclists and walkers participated in the programme. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
