Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has been decorated as the Patron of Special Marshals by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in recognition of his laudable support and commitment to saving lives on the highways.
The governor was decorated during the Investiture/Award Dinner hekd in Lokoja as part of the 2026 Strategic Stakeholders’ Conference on Road Safety organised by the his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Road Safety Matters, Dr Suberu Yusuf-John.
FRSC Corps Marshall, Shehu Mohammed, said that the corps was confident that, as Patron, Ododo would provide the leadership and encouragement needed to strengthen the activities of the Special Marshals in Kogi State.
Mohammed said the governor’s influence would undoubtedly inspire greater public participation, deepen road safety awareness, and foster stronger collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, and community stakeholders.
“Your Excellency, today you join a distinguished group of eminent Nigerians who have accepted the responsibility of championing the cause of road safety through the Special Marshals Scheme.
” We are honoured by your acceptance of this role and look forward to your continued support in advancing the Corps’ mandate within Kogi State and beyond.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps remains committed to working closely with the Kogi State Government in advancing initiatives aimed at reducing road traffic crashes and fatalities.
“We shall continue to collaborate in the areas of road safety education, emergency response, traffic management, data-driven interventions, and capacity building to make our roads safer for everyone,” he said.
In his remarks, Representative of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/Ochenuel Mobility, Dr Emmanuel John, described the governor’s investiture worthwhile and encouraging.
John, who said the occasion was both crucial and timely, said Kogi State occupies a unique position in Nigeria’s transport and road safety road map, not only because of its location as gateway between the south and the north.
He said Kogi hosts crisscrossing national corridors facilitating movement of people, goods, and services that connects the south to the Federal Capital Territory which have significant impact on road safety in the state.
“Therefore, the increasing socio-economic activities arising from this also comes with dare consequences such as road crashes with attendant injuries and death plus traffic congestions and related consequences.
“Road safety is not merely a transport issue; it is a public health issue, an economic development issue, and indeed a social concern.
“This is why the investiture of His Excellency the Executive Governor could not have come at a better time than now when the need for action to end carnages on our roads require strong political will to deliver real actions to end it.
“This is because every life lost on our roads represents a family devastated, productive years cut short, and avoidable economic losses allowed.
“These realities demand that we move beyond isolated interventions towards integrated, inclusive, evidence-based, and sustainable solutions that place human life at the center of transport planning and policy, ” he said.
Responding, Ododo thanked FRSC and his SSA on road safety matters, Dr Yusuf-John, fir the honour bestowed upon him as tge Patron of the Special Marshals.
Represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. Sunday Faleke, the governor said that every life saved from road crash is critical to the development of Kogi and Nigeria at large.
Ododo, who thanked the corps for honouring him, pledged more commitment and support to the Corps for it achieve it’s goal in the policing the roads and said lives of innocent Nigerian citizens from untimely death.
The occasion, which also saw the presentation of a documentary report of the one year in office of Dr Yusuf-John, was climax with the issuance to distinguish personalities including, governor, corps marshal, and the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja.
