As a means of intimating the leadership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) on the activities of the group, the PSN arm of the Federal Road Safety Corporation (FRSC) Special Marshal, Unit 42, led by its Coordinator, Pharm. Gbenga Olubowale recently paid a courtesy visit to the PSN President, Pharm. (Alh.) Ahmed Yakasai, at the Society’s corporate head office in Anthony, Lagos.
In attendance at the meeting were Pharm. Rosemary Nikoro, treasurer; Pharm. Olusegun Sanusi, secretary; Pharm. Gbenga Olubowale, coordinator; Pharm. Joseph Olafemi Olamiju, member; Pharm.(Alh.) Ahmed Yakasai, president, PSN; Pharm. Emeka Duru, secretary, PSN; Pharm. Sesan Kareem, personal assistant to PSN President, among others.
According to the leader of the team, Pharm. Gbenga Olubowale, the special marshals are the volunteer arms of the Federal Road Safety Corps and were created by the FRSC Status, Section 10 (1), saying that they are men and women of means, with proven integrity in the society that has influence in their immediate environment, workplace, and community in favour of the course of road safety work.
He disclosed that the act empowered them to carry out patrol and other activities that will ensure good road usage, unlike the regular corps marshals who have the power to arrest and book any traffic offenders, as well as prosecute motorists where necessary, saying the only difference between regular and special marshals is that regular marshals are uniformed men and women and were paid by the Federal Government while the special marshals spend their money, make sacrifice, by commiting their time on the services of humanity even though they do the same work and activities.
“Out of our busy schedules, we have come together to render services on road safety to the populace, and we have considered it an avenue to give back to the society, without expecting monetary, or whatever gain from any quarter. As professional pharmacists, one of our core competence is to render service and give our best at all times, so as special marshals, our responsibility is to ensure that road users are safe at all time, and this has been a great motivation for us.
He continued: “Aside ensuring safety on our roads, we also engage in various campaigns, we are looking at various avenues of enlightening the public about the dangers inherent in drug abuse and misuse as we have discovered that drug abuse, which leads to carelessness and recklessness has been one of the major reasons for road accidents in the country. So we have deemed it fit to educate the populace, on the reasons they need to do away with drug abuse.
“We are also trying to organise mentoring programmes for schools, both primary and secondary, with the aim to train them on drug usage and how to ensure safety on the road as road users”, he stated.
In his response, Pharm. Yakasai commended the team for the visit and also lauded their steadfast efforts, with remarkable contributions in saving lives and properties on our roads, saying even though he was never aware of their activities before, he was impressed with what the group is doing.
The PSN president, while extolling the crucial roles of pharmacists in the society, urged them to remain steadfast and ensure that they do not create loopholes for bad eggs to infiltrate. “Pharmacists are hardworking and not selfish, so I am not surprised seeing these wonderful and hardworking pharmacists contributing to national development by rendering selfless service to the nation. I also want to encourage you not to relent in your effort and remain good ambassador of the profession,” he said.
Pharm. Yakasai, who further appreciated the group for their remarkable contributions, however, charged them to be dedicated, honest and be diligent in carrying out their duties all the time, saying life is not only about what people eat and drink, but how many lives they have touched through selfless and humanitarian services rendered.
 about the activities of the group, the PSN arm of the Federal Road Safety Corporation (FRSC) Special Marshal, Unit 42, led by its Coordinator, Pharm. Gbenga Olubowale recently paid a courtesy visit to the PSN President){kind=link}