This is the thrust of a paper presented by Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, at the 2nd National Rescue Summit on Road Safety. The summit’s theme was ‘Effective Post-Crash Response Towards Achieving Global Goals 2030’. In the paper, the Director General highlights the importance of road safety as road transportation is the most common mode of transportation. He emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address the alarming rate of road traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths in Nigeria.
The paper focuses on the role of the National Orientation Agency in achieving the goal of a 50% reduction in road-related crashes, deaths, and injuries by 2030. It discusses the importance of effective post-crash response, which is one of the five pillars of the 2nd Decade of Action for Road Safety. The National Orientation Agency’s mission, vision, and role in promoting public awareness are also outlined.
Dr Olukemi Afolayan, Oyo NOA Director who represents the Director General at the summit highlights the Agency’s strategies for promoting effective post-crash response, including advocacy to relevant stakeholders, community engagements, and partnerships with relevant government agencies. Key messages for emergency situations such as call for emergency services Ambulance, FRSC officers, Police, Civil defence Corps, Fire service, NOA WAI brigade, first aid application by qualified personnel, ensure safety of other road users to prevent traffic congestion or further accidents, embrace our cultural values of being our brother’s keeper.
The paper lists challenges related to post-crash response as misinformation about government agency’s response, fear of law enforcement officers, apathy to accident victims, fear of hospital bills others include the influence of social media, where youth would rather make videos and pictures for content instead of providing support to victims.”
The paper charge Nigerian citizens to always be their brothers’ keepers and urge relevant agencies, not to rest on their oars and rather continue the good work of targeting safe roads.
In conclusion, the paper stresses the importance of recognizing the responsibility for safer roads as a collective effort.
