Chioma Vivian James
In a proactive effort to instill road safety consciousness among young Nigerians, the President of the Road Safety Officers Wives Association (ROSOWA), Dr. Nafisat Shehu Mohammed, led a comprehensive road safety sensitisation programme for pupils of Fouad Lababidi Islamic Academy, reinforcing the importance of safety education from an early age.
The initiative, which forms part of ROSOWA’s commitment to promoting safer roads and protecting lives, focused on equipping children with practical knowledge and skills that can help prevent road traffic crashes and injuries
During the interactive session, the pupils were educated on critical road safety practices, including the proper use of child restraints in vehicles, safe road-crossing techniques, understanding traffic signs, pedestrian safety, and responsible behaviour while using the roads.
Speaking during the programme, Dr. Mohammed emphasized that children are among the most vulnerable road users and must be empowered with the knowledge needed to make safe decisions. She noted that cultivating safety awareness at a young age not only protects children today but also helps shape responsible road users and future drivers.
“Road safety education should begin in the classroom and at home. When children understand the importance of obeying traffic rules and adopting safe practices, they become ambassadors of safety within their families and communities,” she said.
The sensitisation programme featured engaging discussions, practical demonstrations, and question-and-answer sessions designed to make road safety concepts easy to understand and remember. The pupils actively participated, demonstrating enthusiasm and a growing awareness of their role in promoting safety on the roads.
Teachers and school administrators commended ROSOWA for bringing the campaign directly to the school environment, describing the initiative as timely and impactful. They stressed that such educational interventions complement academic learning by providing essential life skills that contribute to the overall well-being of children.
The programme aligns with ongoing efforts by the Federal Road Safety Corps and its partners to reduce road traffic crashes through public enlightenment and behavioural change campaigns. By targeting children, ROSOWA is helping to build a strong foundation for a safety-conscious society where respect for traffic regulations and the protection of human life remain paramount.
As road safety challenges continue to demand collective action, ROSOWA’s outreach to schools underscores the importance of early education as a powerful tool for saving lives. Through sustained advocacy and community engagement, the association is not only teaching safety rules but also nurturing a generation that values responsibility, discipline, and care for others on the road.
With initiatives such as this, ROSOWA is proving that the journey toward safer roads begins long before a person gets behind the wheel, it starts in the classroom, where knowledge becomes habit and awareness becomes a lifelong culture of safety.
