The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced a two-day professional repositioning training for its Marshal Cadre, with the Corps Marshal, Mr Shehu Mohammed, demanding improved patrol operations, emergency response and public engagement.
Mohammed said the training was designed to ensure that lessons acquired by personnel translated into better decisions, improved conduct and measurable results in the field.
He stated this on Tuesday at the opening of the training programme in Osogbo, which was being held concurrently at four training centres across Osun.
The Corps Marshal, represented by the Zonal Commanding Officer for Osun, Oyo and Ondo, Mr Edward Etiete, said the programme reflected the management’s determination to strengthen the capacity, character and professional competence of frontline personnel.
The training, themed, “Repositioning Marshals for Effective Service Delivery,” featured a lecture by Dr Olatunji Kayode, Head of the Department of Transportation, University of Osun (UNIOSUN).
Mohammed described the programme as a strategic investment in the Corps’ workforce, stressing that effective road safety operations depended largely on the knowledge, attitude and commitment of its marshals.
He urged participants to actively engage with facilitators, share experiences, ask questions and participate in practical sessions.
“Knowledge acquired must translate into better decisions, improved conduct and measurable results when participants return to their respective commands.
“Repositioning must not end in the classroom; it must be reflected in the way we patrol, enforce, respond to emergencies, engage the public and discharge our responsibilities,” he said.
Mohammed said the training would also help standardise operational practices across the Corps, irrespective of whether personnel operated in urban centres, rural communities or major highway corridors.
He stressed that Nigerians should encounter the same high standards of professionalism, courtesy, fairness and efficiency wherever they interacted with FRSC personnel.
According to him, the programme’s success would ultimately be measured by its impact on safer traffic management, effective patrol operations, improved emergency response, respect for human rights, stronger teamwork and better public engagement.
The Corps Marshal urged facilitators and resource persons to make the programme practical, interactive and solution-oriented by addressing contemporary operational challenges and sharing relevant experiences.
He added that capacity development would remain a cardinal priority of the administration, stressing that no institution could perform beyond the capacity of its workforce.
Earlier, the Deputy Corps Marshal (Training), Mr Abiodun Akinlade, said discipline and integrity must remain paramount as personnel refreshed their knowledge, learned from one another and identified areas for improvement.
Akinlade, represented by Mr Sunday Attah of the Driving School Standardisation Department, Abuja, urged participants to see themselves as ambassadors and representatives of the Corps, whether on or off duty.
He charged them to uphold professionalism, respect, accountability and service to humanity in the discharge of their responsibilities