In continuation of efforts to promote the responsible consumption of alcoholic products and safety on our roads, Nigerian Breweries Plc in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps recently held the last of its 2014 ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ rallies in Agege Motor Park. The 2014 campaign had earlier held in Makurdi, Onitsha and Port Harcourt as part of the nationwide spread of the responsible consumption message the company preaches.
The Agege rally attracted stakeholders in the transport sector including members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), officials of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), Customs Officials, The Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, National Youth Corps members as well as several Non-governmental Organisations.
Welcoming participants, the Lagos State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Hyginus Omeje reiterated the importance of driving alcohol-free. “Alcohol and driving do not go together because alcohol causes loss in attention and driving requires a lot of concentration due to the lives at stake”, he said.
On her part, the Corporate Social Responsibility/Sustainability Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emete Tonukari explained that the ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ Campaign is an important part of the sustainability journey of Nigerian Breweries Plc tagged Brewing a Better World. “We are here to enlighten drivers on the benefits of observing traffic rules and regulations and also for them not to consume any alcoholic product before driving.” They are to ensure that their vehicles are in good working condition and to rest adequately before embarking on a journey. Safety is very important to us and we all have to be safety conscious as we ply the roads.
The guest speaker, Dr. Oluchi Kanma-Okafor educated the participants on the effects of alcohol on driving adding that for the safety of lives on the roads, drivers must stay free from alcohol while on duty. The Vice Chairman of Agege Motor Park, Alhaji Fatai Alimi and representative of the Comptroller of Customs, Federal Operations, Ikeja, CSC Piyapdat Nicholas also made presentations at the rally.
Other highpoints of the campaign included a drama presentation on the adverse effects of drink driving by members of the National Youth Service Corps. Participants also had a free check on their blood pressure as part of the exercise.
It would be recalled that Nigerian Breweries signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Road Safety Corps to formalise their terms of engagement on the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign. The campaign which started in 2008 is in its 7th year and has go round 31 major cities across Nigeria.
