The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, has commended the cycle to school plus initiative, saying it is in line with its strategic goals and apt in cultivating road safety compliance culture from a young age.
The Corps Marshal made the statement at the official launching of ‘Cycle 2 School Plus’ (C2S+) project by Gabriel Rotimi Aroge (GRA) Empowerment Foundation at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Headquarters in Abuja.
The event, hosted by FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, convened key stakeholders committed to improving access to education and promoting sustainable mobility for Nigerian youths.
The Executive Director of Re-Cycle Bikes to Africa, UK, Charlotte Ward, in her address at the unveiling, said, “Providing a child with a bicycle is not merely a charitable act; it is an investment in the child’s future.”
Her remark was corroborated by Mr. Rotimi Aroge, the Founder and Executive Director of the GRA Empowerment Foundation, who said that about 505 out of the 1000 bicycles expected from the UK have arrived at Apapa port, awaiting clearance, translating into a quantum leap towards empowering children with safe, sustainable transportation options.
“Early education in non-motorized transport is essential for achieving safer roads, healthier lifestyles, and a cleaner environment for all Nigerians. This initiative will help build tomorrow’s responsible drivers today.” Stove said.
While stressing that the project involves a strategic partnership between GRA Empowerment Foundation and Re-Cycle Bikes to Africa, with full endorsement and support from the FRSC and the Coalition of Road Safety NGOs of Nigeria (CORSAN).
Aroge pointed out that the vision goes beyond providing bicycles facilitated by his foundation and Re-cycle Bikes to Africa to cultivating safe cycling, walking, and sustainable mobility habits among schoolchildren and young adults.
He therefore called for Corporate sponsorship and funding to facilitate Customs clearing of the first shipment of the 505 donated bicycles, payment of handling charges, warehousing, branding, and programme management for sustainability.
In his words, “Corporate partners are hereby invited to contribute to this transformative mission by supporting the deployment of 505 bicycles in Lagos, thereby fostering lasting improvements in educational access and road safety.”
Speaking also, Prince Ogu Ache, Chairman of BoT, CORSAN, President and founder of Road Accident Prevention Network Centre (RAPNEC), expressed the coalition’s proud support, highlighting that the initiative corresponds directly with their mission to prevent accidents and promote road safety awareness among vulnerable road users.
Other notable attendees at the unveiling include Ojonimi Adegbe, Project Manager at GRA, Ambassador George Ibok, General Secretary of CORSAN, as well as representatives from Sovereign Trust Insurance Company and the Chartered Institute of Transportation Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA).