At a brief but colourful morning ceremony, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has inaugurated three Special Marshals, at the Federal University of Technology Babura. The event took place in the VC’s Conference Room, on Thursday 29th August, 2024, at the Temporary Campus Commandant of the Babura Local Government Command of the Corps, S.B. Barguma decorated the three special Marshals, with their regalia of reflective jacket, a matching cap in the corps colours, an arm band and a handbook amongst others. The Special Marshals are the Registrar, Fatima Binta Mohammed mni, Dr. Yakubu Mustapha Karkarna of the School of Engineering and Malam Jamilu Abubakar of the Bursary Department.
While congratulating the newly decorated officers, Mr. Barguma disclosed that although ten slots were sought for the University Special Marshals Unit, only five were allocated and even of that number since only three applied before the deadline, the balance of the slots were lost to other commands until such a time in the future fresh allocations are made.
He also briefed the Special Marshals of the voluntary beginnings of the FRSC but the President Ibrahim Babangida government went ahead to establish a full organisation with salaried staff on 18th February, 1998, when it was realised that improving safety, reducing accidents and assisting accident victims cannot be left to volunteers alone. The Commandant explained that though they are part of the Regular Special Marshals, there are also two categories: Celebrity Special Marshals and Patrons Special Marshals.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sabo Ibrahim Birnin Kudu had said that membership of the Special Marshal Corps is a form of Community Service that would not only benefit the host community but reflect positively on the careers of the officers involved.
Similarly, in delivering the closing remarks, the DVC Prof. Bala Sidi Aliyu expressed gratitude to the Commandant of the FRSC for finding time to inaugurate the Special Marshal Unit and prayed that the members would be good ambassadors of the institution.
In a related development training officers from the FRSC devoted the rest of the day to a refresher training of official University drivers in code of conduct for drivers, safety and safe driving techniques and managing hazardous situation.