As Chidoka bows out of FRSC

When he was appointed as the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in May 2007, not many Nigerians believed that Osita Chidoka was capable of holding the appointment. But after four years of unprecedented road safety campaigns at the FRSC, and President Jonathan gave him the second tenure in June 2011, people became unanimous in their assertion that he had done well, and the reappointment was well deserved.

Consequently, his assignment at the FRSC became the standard by which many Nigerians came to realise that young and focused Nigerians are capable of positive leadership change in the country. His recent nomination as a minister and subsequent confirmation by the Senate is, therefore, an affirmation of the possibilities that exist in Nigeria. It is also an assurance that all hope is not lost for young and dedicated Nigerians who believe in the unity and development of the country through whatever assignment they do.

But while many people are yet to recover from the euphoria of his ministerial appointment, which signifies the end of his assignment at the FRSC, the consensus among the staff and generality of the people is that having done well in his assignment at the FRSC, he deserves a higher national assignment. Chidoka may mean many things to different people, but those that have worked closely with him know that with his intellectual endowments spanning a Master’s Degree in Transport Policy and Logistics; a Certificate in Global Strategy and Political Economy and a Graduate Diploma in Maritime & Ports Management after a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from the University of Nigeria, coupled with his stint in both public and private sectors, he was not strange to strategic management.

He started his post-NYSC career at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Abuja, after winning the NYSC Merit Award for FCT, which secured him automatic employment. He later served at the Ministries of Works and Housing; Transport as well as the Presidency, as an aide to the Ministers and Special Assistant to the Special Adviser to the President on Legal Matters before joining ExxonMobil, from where he was appointed Corps Marshal.

As part of his reforms in the FRSC, he commissioned the Call Centre, automated the Corps’ accounting system and increased the number of patrol logistics and Ambulance Centres. Under his leadership, road safety studies were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and incorporated into primary and secondary school curriculum. The World Bank’s partnership with the FRSC under his leadership resulted in the funding of the Safe Corridor project, Country Capacity Review of the Road Safety Management in Nigeria as well as procurement of several patrol logistics.

And after five years of showing commitment to global best practices in road safety management and administration, FRSC under his leadership was awarded the coveted Quality Management System Certification (ISO 9001:2008) by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in March, 2013. A holder of the National Honours Award of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), Chidoka led FRSC to win the Leadership Newspapers’ “Government Agency of the Year 2012” award, invested as “Public Servant of the Year 2012,” by both Hallmarks and Sun Newspapers respectively, among other media and national awards. FRSC under him was the first government agency in Commonwealth countries to win the coveted Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards in London in 2008.

A strong believer in the new Nigeria, Chidoka works diligently for a strong and united Nigeria devoid of the prewar challenges of distrust, pain and death. “As a beneficiary of the Nigerian unity, God will not forgive me, if I fail to uphold the nation’s unity in all that I do,” he told the FRSC Cadet Officers in 2011. His penchant for creating a level playing ground is evidenced by his enthronement of merit system through credible examination process and Quality Management System in the FRSC.

“Examination may not be a true test of one’s ability, but we are yet to discover a system that guarantees equal opportunity and creates level playing ground for all contestants for the limited spaces to compete, pass or fail transparently as examination does,” he stated while defending the promotion examination policy in the Corps.

A man of uncommon religious tolerance, he sees religion as an instrument for navigating human complexities and not a tool for exploitation. “Religion, in its true meaning, needs not breed violence. It is rather a compass to navigate the complexities of human life,” he told the course participants at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Jos in 2010.

As he bows out of the FRSC to take his seat at the Federal Executive Council as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, after seven years of meritorious service at the FRSC, Nigerians are unanimous that his appointment is a reward for hard work, dedication and an inspiration for all hardworking young men and women of Nigeria.

Abdullahi, Superintendent Rout Commander, is the Media Assistant to the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of FRSC (abdullahisnn@yahoo.com).