Abuja, 19 November 2007 -- Over five hundred Nigerians from all walks of life, led by the Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. John Odey and the Corps Marshal/Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Mr. Osita Chidoka participated in a solemn candle light procession on Sunday, 18 November, 2007 in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, in remembrance of road traffic victims. The procession took place simultaneously in all 36 states of the Federation.

The third Sunday in November of every year was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005, as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The Day offers an opportunity to increase public awareness of the burden of road traffic collisions on individuals, families and communities and to emphasize the need to initiate and promote efforts to control this major public health and development problem.

The procession in Abuja took off from the NNPC Towers, Central Business District and ended at the Old Parade Ground in Area 10, Garki. At the end of the procession, tributes were paid to all those who had lost their lives to road accidents. Personal testimonies were also taken while a minute silence was observed for all dead victims, courtesy of road accidents.

In his speech on the occasion, Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. John Odey said the remembrance was an exercise to reflect on the value of life. He advised road users to exercise caution and be patient on our roads. He urged them to respect road signs and traffic regulations so as not to endanger their lives and those of other road users. He called for prayers at all times for those who use the roads.

The Corps Marshal/Chief Executive, FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka, in his remarks, said that about 400 citizens die in the country every month from road traffic crashes. Noting that the FRSC is not out to harass people or unnecessarily collect fines, he advised road users to obey road signs and cooperate with the Commission. He urged drivers to be particularly careful during these ember months.

In his message, Mr. Austine Oghide, representing the World Health Organisation Representative, Dr. Peter Eriki, commended FRSC for organizing the candle light procession, which he said was also taking place in many other cities of the world. He told the gathering that though it is good to remember road traffic victims, it is better to be remembered and honoured when one is alive and well. He therefore called on all road users to obey road signs and make our roads safe so that people can enjoy fuller lives.

This year’s remembrance in the country also featured prayers in mosques and churches as well as a visitation to road traffic victims in hospitals by members of the Road Safety Officers Wives Association (ROSOWA).