REMARKS BY THE CORPS MARSHAL, FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS SHEHU MOHAMMED, mni, AT THE BOOK LAUNCH AND RETIREMENT RECEPTION OF ASSISTANT CORPS MARSHAL OLUSEGUN ADEOLA OGUNGBEMIDE, mni, FCAI, FISPN, ANIPR, FINSA (RTD), HELD AT KEC EVENT CENTRE, IBADAN ON SATURDAY, 3RD OCTOBER 2026
Protocols
Distinguished guests,
Members of the Management of the Federal Road Safety Corps,
Senior Officers, serving and retired Marshals,
Members of the family of our celebrant,
Friends and associates,
Ladies and gentlemen.
1. I am delighted to be here today in Ibadan, the historic city of excellence and learning, to celebrate a distinguished officer, a dependable colleague, a consummate road safety professional and, indeed, a brother in the service, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Adeola Ogungbemide, mni, FCAI, FISPN, ANIPR, FINSA (Rtd), on the occasion of the launch of his books and his retirement from active service.
2. Today is particularly significant for me because I have had the privilege of knowing and working with Ogungbemide at different stages of his career in the Federal Road Safety Corps.
3. There is also a special bond between us which I must acknowledge. We are both members of the National Institute and bear the distinguished post-nominal ' *mni* '. I had the privilege of being his senior at the National Institute, but beyond that formal distinction, our relationship has always been defined by mutual respect, professional fellowship and a shared commitment to national service.
4. It is therefore a personal honour for me to be here today, not only as the Special Guest of Honour and Co-Launcher, but also as a colleague and senior member of the National Institute family.
5. I am particularly pleased that two books are being launched today, one of which is titled *Faith and Safety: The Role of Religion in Nigeria's Road Safety Administration: An Ethical and Cultural Exploration of Religion's Impact on the Federal Road Safety Corps.*
6. I am especially honoured to have been given the privilege of writing the Foreword to this important book. The subject is particularly relevant because road safety is not exclusively a matter of enforcement, legislation or engineering. It also involves human behaviour, values, responsibility and our collective understanding of the sanctity of human life. The exploration of the relationship between faith, culture and road safety therefore provides useful perspectives on how we can deepen responsible behaviour on our roads.
7. I commend ACM Ogungbemide for documenting these thoughts and experiences and for contributing to the body of knowledge on road safety administration in Nigeria.
*A Career of Steady Progression*
8. Ladies and gentlemen, ACM Ogungbemide's career in the Federal Road Safety Corps has been one of considerable breadth, steady progression and distinction. As a young officer, he served in several capacities and gained valuable experience across different areas of the Corps before rising to become the Unit Commander of the Abuja Central Business District (CBD). Those early assignments provided him with a solid foundation in field operations, administration, enforcement and the practical realities of road safety management.
9. Following his service as Unit Commander in CBD, he was appointed Deputy Corps Commander in charge of Welfare at the RSHQ, Abuja. It was in this capacity that he made a particularly important institutional contribution to the Corps. He developed and wrote what became the first Standard Operating Procedure on Welfare in the Federal Road Safety Corps.
10. From Welfare at the RSHQ, Abuja, he proceeded to serve as Sector Head of Operations in Ondo, where he brought his growing experience and understanding of field operations to bear on the responsibilities of the Sector.
11. He subsequently served as Sector Commander in Lagos and later as the Corps Public Education Officer, contributing in each assignment to the advancement of the Corps and the achievement of its mandate.
12. Each of these assignments presented its own challenges and required different dimensions of leadership. Yet, in each responsibility entrusted to him, he continued to demonstrate professionalism, discipline, sound judgement and commitment to duty.
*An Unusual Appointment*
13. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me share a personal reflection about Ogungbemide's appointment to the Operations portfolio. When the position of Deputy Corps Marshal (Operations) became vacant, I found myself in a rather difficult situation. The position is one that requires an astute operational person, someone with deep understanding of the field, practical experience and the capacity to translate the Corps' policies and strategies into effective action.
14. At that time, Ogungbemide was the head of the Corps Public Education Office, and he was doing exceptionally well there. I must confess that I found it extremely difficult to pull him out of that office because he was making a very strong contribution in that role. Quite frankly, nobody within or outside the system expected me to appoint him to head Operations.
15. But sometimes, leadership requires taking difficult decisions in the interest of the organisation. Despite the fact that he was an Assistant Corps Marshal, I had no choice but to make the appointment because I had become convinced that his experience, competence and understanding of the Corps had prepared him for that responsibility.
16. And I can say today, with considerable satisfaction, that his appointment was one of the most hailed appointments of my administration up till date. The appointment demonstrated something important: sometimes, the right person for a responsibility may not necessarily be the most obvious person at first glance. What matters is the individual's capacity, experience, character and ability to deliver. Ogungbemide justified the confidence reposed in him.
*Performance in Operations*
17. Operations remains at the very heart of the mandate of the Federal Road Safety Corps. It is where policies are translated into action, where strategies are tested on the roads and where the effectiveness of our collective efforts is ultimately reflected in the safety of the motoring public. By the time Ogungbemide assumed responsibility for Operations, he had accumulated considerable experience across command, operations, welfare and public education. He therefore brought to the office not only the authority of his rank, but also the depth of practical experience acquired throughout his career.
18. And in that responsibility, Ogungbemide performed brilliantly well. He understood the field. He appreciated the challenges confronting our personnel. He understood the expectations of the Nigerian public. Most importantly, he understood that the work of the Federal Road Safety Corps is fundamentally about saving lives.
19. He therefore approached the responsibility with commitment, professionalism and a strong sense of duty. His performance in Operations vindicated the confidence placed in him and demonstrated that competence, experience and commitment can transcend conventional expectations about appointments.
20. One of the qualities I have admired in Ogungbemide's career is his versatility. He was able to serve effectively in operations, welfare, command, public education and administration. It is not every officer who can move successfully through such diverse assignments and continue to distinguish himself. Ogungbemide proved himself at every stage.
21. He proved that he could be trusted with responsibility. He proved that he could lead. And, most importantly, he proved that he could serve.
*A Legacy of Service*
22. Today, therefore, we are not merely celebrating the retirement of an Assistant Corps Marshal. We are celebrating a career that contributed meaningfully to the development and advancement of the Federal Road Safety Corps.
23. We are also celebrating a man who has chosen to use the next chapter of his life to share knowledge and experience through his writings.
24. The launch of these books is particularly appropriate at this point in his journey. Retirement provides an opportunity to reflect, document experiences and pass lessons to those who are still serving. I have no doubt that these publications will provide useful insights for serving officers, researchers, students and everyone interested in road safety administration in Nigeria.
25. I encourage our younger officers and Marshals to read these books. Institutions grow when the experiences of those who served before us are documented, studied and applied for the benefit of future generations.
26. Let me also use this opportunity to acknowledge the family of ACM Ogungbemide. The demands of public service, particularly in an organisation such as the Federal Road Safety Corps, often require sacrifices not only from the officer but also from the family. Your support has undoubtedly contributed to his ability to serve successfully over the years.
27. On behalf of the Management and the entire family of the Federal Road Safety Corps, I congratulate ACM Olusegun Adeola Ogungbemide, mni, FCAI, FISPN, ANIPR, FINSA (Rtd) on his retirement and on the launch of these books.
28. Ogungbemide, you have served the Corps with distinction. You have passed through several important responsibilities, made lasting institutional contributions and left your footprints in the various assignments entrusted to you.
29. As you begin this new chapter, I wish you good health, peace, fulfilment and many more years of meaningful service to humanity and the nation.
30. May the Almighty continue to bless you and your family, reward your years of service and grant you the wisdom and strength to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
31. Once again, congratulations on your retirement and on this important contribution to the literature of road safety administration.
32. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating a great officer, a consummate professional, a distinguished member of the National Institute and a worthy son of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Adeola Ogungbemide, mni, FCAI, FISPN, ANIPR, FINSA (Rtd).
33. Thank you, and God bless you all.