The Corps Public Education Officer, ACM Bisi Kazeem made this known in a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Abuja.

Kazeem lauded the FG’s commitment to excellence in the implementation of the African Road Safety Action Plan.

The maiden edition of the award was organised in recognition and honour of five African countries that have made astounding contribution towards effective implementation of the United Nations Decade African Road Safety Action Plan between 2011 and 2020.

The five countries included Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, Namibia and Ghana.

While Nigeria bagged the Excellence in Road Safety Management award, Ghana earned the award of Excellence in the Implementation of the African Road Safety Action Plan.

Also, South Africa was graced with the award of Leadership in Mobilising Resources for Road Safety; Morocco won Leadership in Road Safety Data Management award, while the Leadership in the Ratification of the Africa Road Safety Charter award went to Namibia.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi had received the Nigerian award on behalf of the FG.

The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, who was one of the eminent attendees of the award ceremony, had likened road traffic crashes to global pandemic and public health issues, which must be holistically and surgically addressed.

Other distinguished guests at the event included the Permanent-Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, not excluding the amiable Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi.

The visibly delighted corps marshal commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, on the improved state of affairs of the road safety service institution in Nigeria.

“I must applaud Mr President for his unflinching support to the FRSC through the provision of basic operational and rescue tools, since the inception of his administration.

“This support has immensely impacted on the operations of the Corps and we are glad to be recognised, not only nationally, but also within the African sub region,” Oyeyemi extolled.

The head of Service (HoS) Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, while speaking at the Y2019 Productivity Order of Merit Awards with the theme: “Productivity for National Re-Engineering, Security and Growth”, advised the awardees not to relent in their efforts instead be more focus, dedication, commitment to duty and loyalty to the growth of the public service.

He buttresses that public servant must see this year’s award as a wake-up call for them, “especially given the reality of the change we must make individually and collectively.”

The guest lecturer, Mr. Diran Ajetunmobi, who is the director, Public Affairs, Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Magodo, Lagos, dwelled on the theme of the award and enjoined public servants to be productive.

Speaking on the purpose of the award, the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mr. Samson Ajibade, noted that the award is to encourage diligence, commitment and loyalty among public servants.

Some of the awardees include Mr. Adeniyi Hakeem Oduyinka, Mrs. Taiwo Abiola, Mrs. George Abosede Oluwakemi, Mrs. Oyegbola Olasunkanmi Mopileola, Mrs. Elusakin Agnes Iyabo, Mrs. Ogunsanya Jonathan Olugbemi, Mrs. George Temitope, Mr. Oreagba Bolaji and Dr. Daniel Folayinka.

The award dinner which was held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp  Hilton, Abuja on Wednesday was well attended by dignitaries across all walks of life, recipients, their families, and well-wishers to celebrate the awardees.

While appreciating the organisers, for the honour bestowed on the speaker and the Kogi State House of Assembly the wife of the Speaker,  Mrs. Esther Kolawole who received the award on his behalf the award will spur her husband to do more in the area of making good laws that will promote good governance and a healthy relationship between the legislative arm and other arms of government in the state.

The Speaker dedicated the award to God who made it possible for him to be alive up till the present time, Governor Yahaya Bello, members of the 7th Assembly and the people of Kabba/Bunu Constituency.

He appreciated the organizers for the honour done him, promising to continue to contribute his quota to the overall development of not only the state but the entire country.

He said; ‘The award is a call to service, I will redouble my efforts for the service of humanity”.

The organiser of the annual program, King Fajag, while speaking at the event said that the initiative was put together seven years ago to recognize and celebrate individuals, corporate organisations and government agencies to promote the tenets of democracy in Nigeria.

Fajag said since the country is desirous of democracy as the form of government in Nigeria, it is imperative for organisations as theirs, to partner and supports the process in honouring persons who have contributed to the growth of democracy in Nigeria and distinguished themselves.

He added that the Democracy Heroes Award has become a household name in Nigeria, calling on those in positions of authority to continue to administer the resources of the country in a prudent manner.

Musgraves, 31, stopped by Tom’s One Hour Photo & Lab at 4158 Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles with her sister on Wednesday and took to Twitter to share her experience.

“Got my portrait made at this AMAZING little place” in Koreatown, she started.

The six-time Grammy award winner posted nostalgia-inducing photos from the shop, which she said opened in 1991. “It’s cash only & has no internet. [Tom] said business has gotten so slow since the digital wave,” she wrote, adding they made him an Instagram account to help advertise the shop.

Customers get to choose their own backdrop at the “charming little small business” and, Musgraves explained, can get film developed or a portrait or passport photo taken. She said the owner shot her photos on a digital camera, but “he could shoot on film if asked.”

The newly created Instagram account for Tom – described as a “sweet, hard-working person” – features photos of Musgraves’ visit to the “rad” and “very nostalgic” business. The “Rainbow” singer said Tom might not even know they created the social media account for him, but hopes it helps publicize his business.

In his keynote address at the launch of the 2019 Future Awards Africa in Abuja, Dare said that the ministry will push for the establishment and institutionalisation of the Nigerian National Youth and Sports Award.

He said the awards, which would become operational in 2020, would motivate Nigerian youths and encourage them to embrace hard work, healthy work ethics and community development.

“Recently, the National Council on Youth Development adopted and approved the observance of a National Youth Day for Nigerian youths to commemorate and celebrate their achievements and contributions to the nation’s development.

“During the 2019 International Youth Day celebration, I made a commitment to get the necessary Federal Executive Council approvals as well as the legislation to actualise this.

“Further to this, we will push for the establishment and institutionalisation of the Nigerian national youth and sports award, which we hope will commence in 2020.

“The award seeks to recognise and honour youths who have made astounding contributions in the areas of youths and sports development,” Dare said.

He said the idea was to help project national icons that would inspire their peers and also motivate and breed patriotism among them.

He noted that awards, like recognition, had the potential to motivate people to excel in what they do.

“Reward and recognition are some of the primary needs of man and it is the key to human or personal fulfilment.

“When persons are recognised and rewarded for their accomplishments, they feel a sense of fulfilment, which remains with them and continues to inspire them to achieve more.

“It also impacts on those around them, who are inspired to strive towards success and excellence.

“This is hugely important because today, Nigeria, like many nations, is grappling with issues such as insecurity, corruption, disorientation

“These are traceable to breakdown or total loss of societal values as well as a lack of a coordinated and structured reward system,” Dare said.

Source: NAN