By Mohammed Tijjani
A pharmaceutical firm, DEXA MEDICA, on Tuesday donated 550 crash helmets to motorcyclists in Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the distribution of the crash helmets was a collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kaduna State Sector Command.
In his remarks, the Brand Manager, BOSKA, Nnandi Ezeani, said the gesture was in the spirit of ‘BOSKA being a responsible brand and a company.’
He claimed, ”The firm cares about Nigeria and the people, where we promote safety in collaboration with our partners like the Federal Road Safety Corps.
”Head injuries are a major source of deaths especially for motorcycle riders because they are exposed unlike cars.
“Motorcycle riders are at higher risk of injuries especially on the head, which can cause instant death.
” In the spirit of corporate social responsibility, we are providing this helmets free and as mandated by the motorcycle riders unions in their respective locations.
“We want them to go out and feel safe and secured as they hustle for their daily breads for themselves and families.”
Ezeani urged the motorcycle riders to be compliant to safety by continuously using the helmets.
“They should not hang it in their houses or sell it.
“We want them to use it and keep themselves safe and inculcate the culture of safety and responsibility on the roads, not just for themselves but their passengers as well,”Ezeani said.
The Sector Commander, Corps Commander, Kabir Nadabo lauded BOSKA company for the corporate responsibility and assistance to Nigerians.
According to him, in the past five years, looking at the trend, crashes statistics of motorcycles had drastically reduced to a very low level compared to what obtained 15 years back.
Nadabo said, “Before you have one crash in Kaduna involving motorcycles, you will record 5-6 crashes involving trailers and Golf buses.
“Within 3 to 4 months, we have recorded so many fatal crashes that resulted to in the loss of life because of speeding and carrying goods with humans.”
He said that the Corps Marshal of FRSC, Mr Dauda Biu had directed all Sector Commanders across the country to liaise with the States’ Judiciaries to reverse the ugly trend.
”He asked us to make sure that any trailer driver that dangerously drives and has a crash that results to death and injury must be taken to Court and be convicted,” Nadabo said.
He reassured that the FRSC in Kaduna State would do its best to reduce road crashes to the barest minimum.
Also, the Chairman, Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Kaduna State chapter , Malam Rabiu Giwa, appreciated the gesture and urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the helmets.