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Shettima urges 50% reduction in road crash deaths by 2030

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for concrete and collaborative efforts to reduce road crash fatalities and injuries in Nigeria by 50 per cent by the year 2030.

Shettima urged stakeholders to embrace global best practices and implement realistic strategies to enhance safety on the nation’s highways.

He made the call at the 8th Annual Lecture Series of the Federal Road Safety Corps on Wednesday in Abuja.

The event brought together government officials, transport experts, and road safety stakeholders to discuss the theme, “Road Safety Management and Emerging Transportation Trends: Global Partnership and Optimal Performance.”

FRSC had revealed that between January and June 2025 alone, 5,281 crashes were recorded, involving 39,793 individuals. Of these, 2,838 lives were lost while 17,818 people were rescued.

In his keynote address, Shettima described the theme as timely and relevant, noting that it aims to address the growing challenges in the road transportation sector by drawing on international best practices.

“Indeed the theme of this lecture is timely. It also seeks to address the challenges of emerging trend in road transportation using global partnership as leverage to adopt global best practices on road safety issues.

“I also urge you all to deliberate on practicable and applicable measures that will sanitise our highways with a view to achieving the target of 50 per cent reduction of crash fatalities/injuries by the year 2030,” Shettima said.

The Vice President said the annual lecture series is an opportunity for the FRSC to “review its performance, identify areas of need, and raise awareness on road safety issues in Nigeria.”

He noted that previous editions of the series had contributed to positive outcomes, including safer driving habits and improved emergency response.

Highlighting the FRSC’s growing regional influence, the Vice President commended the Corps for its achievements.

“I wish to commend the FRSC for its numerous laudable achievements, which placed Nigeria on the focus as a lead country in road safety management in the West Africa sub-region as well as in Africa in general,” he said.

Shettima reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the FRSC, especially through legislative backing and institutional strengthening.

He noted that the FRSC Amendment Bill had already passed third reading in the House of Representatives and is awaiting concurrence in the Senate.

“I wish to assure you that the government will continue to promote compliance to global best practices in road safety by supporting innovations that strengthen the Corps to ensure compliance to road safety laws and regulations,” he added.

Shettima urged participants to focus on actionable outcomes that can directly improve safety on Nigerian roads.

In his goodwill message, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, called for intensified efforts in road safety management across Nigeria, urging FRSC and stakeholders to aim for a “zero-death” record during the forthcoming Ember Months.

“As we deliberate on the way forward, I enjoin the corps to put up practicable measures towards achieving zero deaths in road crashes during the Yuletide and the New Year celebrations,” he stated.

Akume commended the corps for its consistent efforts in promoting road safety awareness, vehicle maintenance, and standard-setting for fleet operators nationwide.

He highlighted that while developed nations have adopted stringent measures to sanitise their road networks, the FRSC’s lecture series offers Nigeria a valuable opportunity to assess and enhance its performance in line with global best practices.

He added that the FRSC’s efforts are in alignment with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in promoting sustainable and safe mobility for Nigerians.

In his address, the FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed called for renewed national and global partnerships to tackle Nigeria’s persistent road safety challenges.

The event marked the revival of the FRSC Lecture Series, which was last held in 2017. Mohammed explained that the decision to bring back the series in 2025 aligns with FG’s Renewed Hope Agenda and aims to promote sustainable transportation and public health.

“The theme was also carefully selected to align with the United Nations Assembly resolutions for Africa to implement measures that could reduce road crash fatalities and injuries by 50 per cent by the year 2030,” he said.

Despite the FRSC’s efforts in enforcement, public enlightenment, and advocacy, Mohammed acknowledged the ongoing challenges reflected in Nigeria’s road crash data.

“Current data on road crashes reveal a yearly average of about 5,000 persons killed and 31,154 persons injured.

“These figures underscore the need for the corps to do more in harnessing resources towards implementing the national road safety development plan as captured in the National Road Safety Strategy document,” he said.

The corps marshal expressed optimism that the resolutions from the lecture would translate into effective policies and behavioural change on Nigerian roads.

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Trump administration cuts energy projects, freezes New York funding

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The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate dozens of clean energy projects and freeze billions of dollars for major projects in New York, intensifying a stand-off with Democrats over a US government shutdown.

US media outlets described the moves announced by the energy and transportation departments as part of the administration’s efforts to pressure Democrats in Congress to agree on a deal to end the shutdown.

US President Donald Trump had raced to enact hard-right policies even before the shutdown began after midnight on Tuesday, threatening mass firings and to slash government departments, and blaming Democrats for Congress’ failure to resolve a funding stand-off.

The Department of Energy announced on Thursday “the termination of 321 financial awards supporting 223 projects, resulting in a savings of approximately $7.56 billion for American taxpayers.”

It said in a statement that those projects — overseen by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and other bodies — “did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs… and would not provide a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars.”

However, recipients of federal funding have 30 days to appeal against a termination decision, and some have already begun the process, the statement said.

It did not list the projects in question.

In a post on social media platform X, Russell Vought, who heads the powerful Office of Management and Budget, called the slashed projects “Green New Scam funding” that was used to advance “the Left’s climate agenda”.

He listed the states affected by the decision. They include California, New York and 14 others — all blue states where Trump failed to win in the 2024 presidential elections.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said the Trump administration had decided to cancel “up to $1.2 billion” slated for a major hydrogen energy project, threatening tens of thousands of jobs.

“In Trump’s America, energy policy is set by the highest bidder, economics and common sense be damned,” Newsom said in a statement, vowing to keep pursuing a “clean energy strategy… no matter what DC tries to dictate.”

In New York — the home state of top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — the Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday it was freezing nearly $18 billion in federal funding for two major infrastructure projects, the Second Avenue subway and Hudson Tunnel.

The move takes aim at diversity, equity and inclusion policies, according to the department’s statement, saying that subsidizing projects with “race- and sex-based contracting requirements… is unconstitutional, counter to civil rights laws, and a waste of taxpayer resources.”

The funds would be frozen until a “quick administrative review is complete,” it said.

“Thanks to the Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries shutdown, however, USDOT’s review of New York’s unconstitutional practices will take more time,” it added, saying that the department “has been forced to furlough the civil rights staff responsible for conducting this review.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said in a statement that halting funding for “critical infrastructure projects” was “political payback and an attack on New York.”

“Donald Trump has been clear: he is intent on using his reckless government shutdown to hurt the American people,” she said.

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Shettima returns to Abuja after attending UNGA, meetings in Germany

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and high-level engagements in Germany.

The vice president’s aircraft touched down at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Thursday, where he was received by senior government officials.

During the week-long engagements, Shettima delivered the President’s national statement at the UNGA, calling for comprehensive reforms of the global body.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is being welcomed some government officials at the airport. Photo: State House

He also advocated Africa’s sovereignty over its estimated $700 billion mineral resources and strengthened Nigeria’s partnerships with the United Kingdom, the Gates Foundation, and other international stakeholders.

In New York, Shettima met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who commended Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

The vice president also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunities to global investors and assured members of the Nigerian diaspora of continued engagement in the Tinubu administration’s policies and programmes.

He later proceeded to Germany for further strategic meetings before returning to the country.

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Lagos unveils artisan certification to curb building collapse

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The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory has launched a new certification and training programme for artisans in the construction industry as part of efforts to stem the spate of building collapses in the state.

The initiative, known as the Certified Structural Integrated Programme, was unveiled at a stakeholders’ forum held in Ese-Offin and Badagry, where block moulders, bricklayers, concrete mixers, steel fabricators and welders converged to pledge support for safer construction practices.

In a statement on Thursday by the Lagos Government, General Manager of LSMTL, Olayinka Abdul, said the programme marked a decisive step in tackling recurring tragedies linked to substandard construction materials.

“Without artisans, there is no construction. But with you, we have the power to ensure every construction is safe, sound, and secure. We need to earnestly curb episodes of collapse in high-water-prone communities, and we do not want such in your community. It ends today,” he said.

According to the statement, the CSIP is a five-year assessment programme aimed at certifying construction materials as fit-for-purpose.

It will also produce an official directory of approved block moulders, concrete mixers and steel fabricators, to whom developers will be directed for supplies.

“This is not just about enforcement; it is about partnership and empowerment. Together, we can forge an unbreakable alliance that makes Lagos a model for building safety and integrity,” Abdul added.

Technical experts at the forum highlighted the scientific backing for the initiative. Director of the Soil and Geotechnics Unit, Engr. Abimbola Adebayo, stressed the need for mandatory soil tests before construction.

Similarly, Kayode Akinfeleye of the Technical Services Department advised builders to ensure architectural drawings are obtained and preserved, describing them as “a core requirement in the Lagos building process.”

Artisan guild leaders welcomed the initiative. Chairman of the National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria, Alhaji Fabiyi Oyeleke, described frequent collapses as “disheartening” and commended the forum as a step in the right direction.

On his part, Chairman of the Lagos State Bricklayers Association, Mr. Fashina Aro, noted the peculiarities of Lagos’s swampy terrain and urged all stakeholders to ensure materials and soil tests are completed before bricklayers commence work on any site.

Building collapse has been a persistent challenge in Lagos, with many lives lost and substantial property damage over the years.

In recent incidents, emergency responders have had to rescue workers from collapsed structures.

PUNCH Online reports that rescue teams pulled eight workers from the debris of a collapsed building in September.

Reports by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild show Lagos accounts for about 55% of recorded building collapse incidents in Nigeria over the past several decades.

In response, Lagos has taken steps to strengthen bodies like the Lagos State Building Control Agency, enhancing enforcement, monitoring, and regulation of building standards.

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