Road Safety
My brother, pal and colleague, Kayode Olagunju breast the tape earlier than me. He crafted a ravishing piece captioned, ’The final dance with Corps Marshal Dauda Biu’’. Unfortunately, I used to be not privileged to have a dance with him earlier than his demise. I’ve subsequently chosen, “My last salute to Dauda Biu,” because the caption for my pricey boss who kissed mom earth goodbye on the night of Sunday,11 October,2026.
On that day, we misplaced one of many quiet builders of the Federal Road Safety Corps. Some have described him as a gem. To others, he was a person who represented justice and equity. Yet to others, he was a pacesetter who created vacancies for promotion when there was none. A frontrunner who gave appointments with out figuring out the appointees. A frontrunner whose tenure, although transient, was exceptional and excellent as he meant effectively. A uncommon chief.
Dauda Biu was the chief who sought to broaden the attain of the Corps as a plank for enhancing the Corps’ efficiency in all ramifications. That singular choice led to the creation of a Unit in my group referred to as Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government of Ebonyi State, in addition to in different communities. Dauda’s tenure as Corps Marshal was exceptional and excellent. His quick spell introduced smiles to the faces of workers via promotions and different welfare devices.
I used to be privileged to be his spokesperson, though my appointment was flavored by mini-drama, harking back to Dauda Biu and his distinctive management model. I recall being conscripted by him to honour an invite on the National Assembly. In the course of non-public introduction, a member who heard my title rapidly requested me why ‘Oga Driver’, an interactive highway security programme on Radio, was now not being aired. My boss instantly lower in by informing the committee that it will likely be reactivated, a remark that shocked me since he had by no means proven any curiosity within the programme, a minimum of to my information.
When we arrived on the nationwide headquarters, there have been whispers that I will likely be leaving the operations division the place I used to be heading, in performing capability after the retirement of Deputy Corps Marshal Kayode Fanola, my former boss. I dismissed the whisper just for a proper deployment from the operations division to the Public Education workplace as head was revealed. I took over instantly in January 2024.While nonetheless pondering the rationale for my deployment, he summoned me with a directive to carry again Oga Driver, which to me was a testomony that he was a quiet fan. That programme at the moment runs on the FRSC National Traffic Radio,107.1FM, Abuja,as his legacy.
Barely three months after assumption, I received the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Spokesperson Award as Outstanding Security Spokesperson (Non-military). On the day I introduced the Award and certificates to him, I used to be shocked at his pleasure for the award to be captured and posted on the Corps web site. He instantly directed the photographers to be summoned to seize us holding onto the award and certificates which demonstrated his appreciation for excellence despite the fact that he didn’t monetize the joy. I saluted him in acknowledgement of his monetary sponsorship of my participation which made the award potential.
I held that workplace briefly earlier than his exit however because the spokesperson, who labored with him earlier than his exit, Dauda Biu was molded in another way from all who held forth earlier than him. Dauda Biu didn’t flaunt himself however affected the Corps throughout the quick interval of his tenure. No surprise, the dying of this former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), was met with grief throughout the Corps the place he served for over three many years, among the many massive and small from his residence constituency, and among the many many workers who knew him as each colleague and boss.
Today, I rejoice a lifetime of service to humanity and nation, in addition to loyalty to the Corps. Biu was born in 1964 in Sabon Gari, Zaria, Kaduna State and held the normal title of Jagaban Sabon Gari. He earned a Master of Business Administration diploma from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and was a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of National Accountants. He joined the FRSC in 1988 as a pioneer workers. He rose via the ranks, serving as Assistant Corps Marshal in control of Finance and Accounts in 2014 earlier than turning into Deputy Corps Marshal in 2016. He was among the many egg heads who constructed the highway security system in Nigeria.
He was the sheriff on the financé and accounts division for about eight years. In July 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Biu Acting Corps Marshal following the retirement of Boboye Oyeyemi and later as substantive Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer from 23 December 2022, thus turning into the seventh substantive head of the FRSC who held sway between July 2022 to May 2024.
I recall his first handle to workers the place he pledged to uphold the Corps’ mandate and certainly throughout the quick spell, he proved himself worthy of his guarantees as captured by workers, associates in addition to his group who demonstrated their love for him by the teeming crowd that attended his last burial ceremony to say goodbye. During his tenure, Biu wielded the large stick towards reckless drivers and confirmed his compassion for workers who grew to become victims of such recklessness.
His legacies lie within the Agency he helped to construct. The officers whose profession he resuscitated via promotions that raised morale. His welfare plans regardless of sure odds, which had been well timed. His admiration for utilizing the Radio as a platform for reaching the Corps publics stood tall. For being a pacesetter who dared to be totally different, who was not loud however efficient and impactful, I once more provide you with my last salute. Biu is survived by a spouse and 5 kids. To them I provide my deepest condolences. I pray for Almighty Allah’s consolation for his household. The nation. The Corps. Friends. Stakeholders. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and settle for his good deeds. Rest in peace, Corps Marshal Dauda Biu.
