By Ibironke Ariyo
The Road Safety Officers Wives Association (ROSOWA) has donated food and other items to two orphanage homes in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), as part of activities to commemorate the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week.
Speaking at the event on Saturday in Abuja, the ROSOWA President, Dr Nafisat Shehu-Mohammed said the initiative was part of the association’s commitment to community development.
Shehu-Mohammed said that it was also part of the ROSOWA’s ongoing support for the less privileged, especially orphans.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two orphanages that benefited are Hope for Survival and Mother Theresa Orphanages respectively.
NAN reports that the items donated included foodstuffs, toiletries, beverages, and other daily necessities aimed at supporting the welfare of the children.
Shehu-Mohammed said that the gesture was not only to commemorate the global week but also to show love and care to the most vulnerable in society.
“The outreach was not only in alignment with the global campaign for safer roads but also a heartfelt gesture to show compassion and solidarity with the vulnerable.
“In line with the objectives of the United Nations Global Road Safety Week, we believe road safety is not limited to enforcing traffic laws.
“It also involves caring for lives, especially the most vulnerable ones.
“Children are among the most affected by unsafe roads, and we must continue to advocate for their protection while also meeting their immediate needs.
“While we continue to agitate and yearn for safer roads, we also recognise the importance of showing love and unity within our community,” ROSOWA president said.
Shehu-Mohammed emphasised that the week-long event was a reminder of the urgent need for safer roads, improved mobility, and inclusive support systems for all.
She emphasised that the association’s presence at the orphanages was a way to demonstrate that the children were not forgotten, despite their challenges.
“We are here to let them know that ROSOWA cares. Amidst their trials and tribulations, we want them to feel the warmth of being part of a larger community.
“It is our way of saying: you are loved, you matter, and you belong,”she maintained.
The ROSOWA President called on members of the public, particularly the more privileged, to emulate the gesture and support the underprivileged in their various communities.
She said “It’s also a reminder to the community and the wider populace that there’s still a lot more to be done.
“We all have a role to play in supporting the needy and in building a safer, more inclusive society,”
Receiving the items on behalf of the Hope for Survival Orphanage, the Administrator, Mr Cephas Thaddeus expressed heartfelt gratitude to ROSOWA, describing the donation as timely and impactful.
“We are deeply grateful to ROSOWA for remembering us, especially at a time when resources are stretched.
“These items will go a long way in catering to the children’s needs and making them feel loved and valued,”he said.
Similarly, a representative at the Mother Theresa Orphanage thanked the association for its continued support and compassion and called on other organisations and individuals to emulate ROSOWA’s example.
“This is not the first time ROSOWA is reaching out to us, and we are always encouraged by their generosity. Support like this lifts the spirits of the children and gives them hope, “the representative said.
The 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week, themed “Streets for life: Making Walking Safe, Make Cycling Safe emphasises the need for inclusive and sustainable transport systems that protect lives, particularly those of cyclists and pedestrians.
ROSOWA’s outreach forms part of its broader humanitarian and advocacy efforts, which align with the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030), aimed at reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50 per cent.
