Nigerian Breweries Plc in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Thursday flagged off the 10th edition of the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign in Lagos. The campaign is a corporate social responsibility initiative by the company to improve safety on Nigerian roads by discouraging the habit of drink driving by drivers.
Kufre Ekanem, Nigerian Breweries’ Corporate Affairs Adviser explained during the flag off that the partnership with the FRSC is a major pillar for sustaining the Don’t Drink and Drive initiative over the years. “This partnership is a major pillar of our responsible consumption campaign which is part of our long term strategic sustainability agenda, Brewing a Better World. This agenda also focuses on the delivery of concrete commitments in areas where our company can directly make impact through its operations,” he said.
Mr. Ekanem further revealed that the 10th edition of the campaign would be broader in scope and operations by involving a wider audience who would benefit from the initiative. “For the 10th Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign, we plan to extend our reach through the hosting of mega rallies in Abuja, Lagos and Enugu that would involve a wider audience including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria and Tanker Drivers. Other targeted audience groups include Luxury Bus Drivers, ‘Keke’ and ‘Okada’ riders and non-governmental organizations with focus on the transport sector,” Ekanem stated.
He also used the occasion to reveal the success of the initiative in previous editions and appreciated the FRSC for the sustained partnership and its continued commitment to the promotion of road safety in Nigeria.
Corps Commander Bisi Kazeem, Corps Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, who represented the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr. Olayemi Boboye used the occasion to commend Nigerian Breweries Plc for remaining consistent and committed to ensuring safety on Nigerian highways through the Don’t Drink and Drive initiative.
Commander Kazeem said that the FRSC is delighted by the motivation of Nigerian Breweries Plc in complementing its efforts towards road safety in Nigeria. “The Corps upholds improved consultation and collaboration as one of its core values. This underscores our delight with the sustained motivation by the management of Nigerian Breweries Plc to complement our efforts towards ensuring safer roads in Nigeria through responsible drinking habits among drivers,” he said.
Since inception of the initiative, Nigerian Breweries Plc and the Federal Road Safety Corps have held enlightenment rallies in over 39 cities and towns which have directly engaged over 16,000 drivers and road users across Nigeria with several more target audience reached through mass media messages.