….Gombe reaffirms commitment to road safety and capacity building
The 2025 Annual Mandatory Workshop for Driving School Proprietors and Instructors, organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Gombe State Sector Command, was officially flagged off on Thursday, at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe.
The Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, who represented Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, delivered the keynote address, stressing the state government’s unwavering commitment to road safety.
He praised the FRSC for its continuous efforts in driver education and capacity building, calling on all stakeholders to join hands in reducing accidents and promoting safety on the roads.
“This event is a significant step toward improving safe motoring by building the capacity of driving school proprietors, instructors, and other stakeholders,” Dr. Jatau said. “Safety is everybody’s business. Gombe State Government remains a critical stakeholder and will continue to partner with the FRSC to promote road safety.”
The workshop, themed; “Entrenching Highway Standardised Drivers and Riders Training,” aligns with national efforts to curb road crashes through quality driver education. Dr. Jatau emphasised that the government is investing heavily in road infrastructure and expects commensurate efforts to ensure safety on these roads.
The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, in a speech delivered on his behalf, reiterated the importance of Standardised training as a cornerstone of road safety. He highlighted that the Driving School Standardisation Programme (DSSP) remains vital in producing competent and safety-conscious drivers and riders.
“Driving schools are the first point of contact for would-be drivers. If their foundation is weak, no amount of enforcement can make up for it,” the Corps Marshal stated. He emphasised that while enforcement is important, education and prevention are the most sustainable approaches to road safety.
He noted the progress made under the DSSP framework, including the adoption of improved curricula, driving simulators, and better regulatory compliance. However, he warned against complacency, noting that some schools still cut corners and prioritise profit over safety.
Gombe Sector Commander Mr Samson Kaura described the workshop as a “strategic intervention” in mitigating road crashes by enhancing the competence of driving school operators. He stressed that prevention through education remains the most effective tool in building a safe road culture.
The event also featured goodwill messages from prominent dignitaries including the Commissioner of Works, Alh. Musa Maijama’a; Commissioner for Special Duties, Shehu Yerima Abdullahi; ALGON Chairman, Barr. Sani Ahmed Haruna; representatives from the Provost of FCET Gombe, and the Gombe State Police Commissioner.
They said road safety is everybody’s responsibility therefore all stakeholders should join hands to ensure safety of lives and properties.
They commended the organisers for working towards reducing road traffic accidents and ensuring safety of lives and properties.
The Chairman Driving School’s Proprietors in the State, Mr. Victor Akpan appreciated the opportunity provided for them and the drivers, assuring them of making optimum use of the lessons to be learnt during the workshop.
The workshop continues with a technical session, offering participants a platform to discuss challenges and practical solutions facing the driving school industry in Nigeria.
Jack.A.Tasha
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity,
(Deputy Governor’s Office)
