Abuja: The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has unveiled Ibironke Ariyo, Senior Correspondent with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), along with 22 other prominent Nigerians as its Celebrity Special Marshals (CSMs). This announcement was made on Thursday during the 2025 Road Safety Youth Hangout organized by the FRSC-FCT Command, themed 'Safer Roads, Brighter Future: Youth Leading the Change.'
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Assistant Corps Marshal, who also serves as the Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, stated that the CSMs were chosen to lead road safety advocacy efforts across the nation. Ogungbemide highlighted that the initiative is driven by the FCT Sector Command in alignment with the policy direction of the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, which emphasizes the shared responsibility of road safety.
Ogungbemide emphasized the importance of involving youths and influential figures in addressing current crash trends, noting that young people are significantly impacted by road incidents. He expressed confidence that with the participation of these celebrity marshals, the number of road incidents would decrease. He urged the marshals to leverage their influence and social platforms to promote road safety, encourage positive peer behavior, and foster a culture of safe driving.
The adoption of the FRSC mobile app was also encouraged as a vital tool in crash prevention. Ogungbemide noted the app's extensive functionalities, which empower road users to contribute to safer roads. He emphasized that the app is youth-centric and integral to achieving the Corps Marshal's vision of safer roads.
The FRSC records from January to December 2024 reveal that Nigeria experienced 9,570 road traffic crashes, resulting in 31,154 injuries and 5,421 deaths. Global statistics indicate that road traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years, with two-thirds of fatalities among people aged 18-59.
Ariyo expressed her gratitude to the FRSC for acknowledging her advocacy against speed, reckless driving, and other hazardous activities on the road. She noted her extensive reporting on road safety as a journalist and pledged to further support FRSC's mission to save lives and properties through her new role as a celebrity special marshal.
Other notable nominees include Munirat Antoinette Lecky of Big Brother Naija, Oyeyemi Ajayi of NTA, Kayode Oyedare of FRCN, Benny Ark of Channels TV, and Ozi Okoli of Arise News.