By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of two persons in a road crash that occurred at noon on Monday along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The unfortunate incident involved a Nigerian-born British boxer, Mr Anthony Joshua. His vehicle was said to have rammed into a stationary truck on the expressway, killing two people on the spot.

In a statement, the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, an Assistant Corps Marshal, said the fatal road traffic accident specifically happened around the Sinoma area near Sagamu, Ogun State.

It involved an SUV conveying the boxer, with preliminary reports from the Ogun Sector Command indicating that Lexus vehicle may have been travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor.

According to the FRSC, the driver lost control of the vehicle during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into the stationary truck well packed by the side of the road.

“The primary causes of the crash being excessive speed and wrongful overtaking constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways,” a part of the statement alleged.

However, FRSC operatives arrived at the scene within three minutes of notification, enabling swift rescue operations, evacuation of victims, effective traffic control, and prevention of secondary crashes.

“A total of five adult males were involved in the crash. Two persons sadly lost their lives, one sustained injuries, while two others escaped unhurt. Anthony Joshua was rescued alive and sustained minor injuries.

The injured victim was evacuated for medical attention, while the remains of the deceased were conveyed to Livewell Morgue, Ajaka, Sagamu. The Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division (MTD) was duly notified for further investigation and necessary documentation,” another parts of the statement read.

The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Mr Shehu Mohammed, has commiserated with the families of the deceased and wished the injured victim, Anthony Joshua a speedy recovery.

“FRSC reiterates its warning to motorists to avoid dangerous overtaking, excessive speed, and disregard for traffic regulations, particularly on high-speed corridors such as the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. Motorists are urged to exercise patience, maintain lane discipline, and prioritise safety over haste, especially during the festive travel period.

“The public is reminded that the Corps remains resolute in its mandate to ensure safer roads, prompt emergency response, and sustained public education aimed at reducing road traffic crashes and fatalities across the country,” the statement noted.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Global leader in the spirits and wine industry, Pernod Ricard, in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has launched the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign in Lagos to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and promote responsible drinking habits among road users, during the Detty December festivities.

The campaign, themed Take Responsibility for Your Safety – Don’t Drink and Drive, aims to reduce road accidents and fatalities during the festive season and beyond. According to the FRSC, drunk driving remains a leading cause of road crashes in Nigeria, with Lagos State being particularly vulnerable due to its vibrant nightlife and high vehicle population.

Speaking at the launch event, the Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Mr Michael Ehindero, emphasized the company’s commitment to promoting responsible drinking and road safety.

“At Pernod Ricard Nigeria, we believe in encouraging responsible choices and promoting a culture of safety on our roads,” he said.

Corps Commander Kehinde G. Hamzat, Sector Commander of FRSC Lagos State, who was represented by Deputy Corps Commander Edith Eloka echoed the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring road safety. “Road safety is a shared responsibility, and we must work together to prevent crashes and save lives,” he said.

The campaign includes sensitization programs for commercial drivers, road users, and the general public, as well as collaborations with government agencies, civil society, and private sector partners to amplify the message of responsible drinking and road safety.

It is part of Pernod Ricard Nigeria’s global Sustainability & Responsibility roadmap, which aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 that promotes good health and well-being, and is reflected in its global purpose statement, which states: “We are committed to being a responsible and sustainable company, creating a better tomorrow for all our stakeholders.”

The event secured 1,500 pledges from participants at the Ikeja City Mall, The Event Centre, and ABC Transport Company, with goodwill messages from stakeholders, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Ministry of Transportation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).

While admonishing safe road usage, Corps Road Safety Commander, Mr Godwin Uweni, Head of Operations, Ikotun Unit Command FRSC, advised motorists to prioritize road safety and adhere to FRSC guidelines.

At ABC Motor Park, there was a head-to-head trivia competition with gift items and stickers with the “Don’t Drink & Drive” message to drivers, who were also encouraged to share their experiences on social media, using the branded hashtag, Don’t Drink and Drive.

Last year, the company partnered with FRSC and other stakeholders to promote road safety through the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign, and responsible drinking practices with its Drink More Water activation.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has provided a financing facility worth about $100 million to assist Lagride expand its electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Lagos State.

The loan would also be used by the company to scale its Drive-to-Own programme and enable 3,500 Lagos drivers to transition from daily earners into long-term asset owners, business operators and mobility investors.

The partnership strengthens Lagos State’s transportation ecosystem and accelerates the shift toward a structured, technology-enabled and financially bankable mobility sector.

Over the past 10 months, Lagride has rebuilt its entire onboarding and operational system for drivers, known as Lagride Captains.

The platform introduced a performance-led Drive-to-Earn structure supported by weekly and monthly rental models. This system has generated consistent 90-day usage and repayment data across the fleet, allowing UBA and other financial institutions to assess driver performance with accuracy, confidence and transparency.

Eligibility for the programme is based on clearly defined performance thresholds, repayment discipline, safety compliance and service consistency.

Through this approach, Lagride has emerged as the most structured, data-driven and credit-ready mobility platform in Nigeria, setting a new benchmark for bankable driver financing and asset ownership.

EV Infrastructure Expansion

As part of the milestone, Lagride also unveiled an expanded electric vehicle charging facility in Alausa, Lagos, reinforcing its long-term commitment to clean, future-ready mobility.

The expanded infrastructure is designed to support the growing electric vehicle segment within Lagride’s fleet, reduce operational downtime and enable more efficient, sustainable transportation at scale. By pairing driver financing with practical EV infrastructure, Lagride is positioning itself as a mobility platform built not just for today’s Lagos, but for the next generation of urban transport.

“Lagride was created to give Lagos a modern, disciplined and technology-driven mobility system while ensuring that drivers are not left behind.

“The goal is for drivers who we call Captains to become business owners, fleet partners and mobility investors, not just drivers.

“This $100 million partnership with UBA moves thousands of captains closer to owning productive assets, managing multiple cars and building stronger financial futures. It is a major step forward in our commitment to driver prosperity and the future of smart mobility in Lagos,” the chairman of Lagride, Ms Diana Chen, said.

On his part, the chief executive of UBA, Mr Oliver Alawuba, said Lagride represents the kind of transformational, well-governed and data-backed initiative that UBA exists to support across Africa.