The Osun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Osogbo has decorated Prof. John Okeniyi and Dr. Sam Olawoye as Honorary Special Marshals in recognition of their outstanding service to humanity. The investiture ceremony, held at the Sector Command headquarters, was graced by dignitaries from government, academia, and the health sector.
Speaking at the event, the representative of the State Governor, Patron of the Special Marshals in Osun State, the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Ephraim Oyedele, commended the awardees for their remarkable contributions. He noted that being a Special Marshal is a humanitarian duty and urged them to remain steadfast, assuring that their sacrifices will be rewarded.
Sector Commander FRSC, RS11.1 Osun, Leye Adegboyega praised the awardees, describing them as men whose lives reflect service. He highlighted Prof. Okeniyi’s pioneering work as a paediatric cardiologist, human physiologist, and Chief Medical Director of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife. Prof. Okeniyi, he noted, established the Paediatric Cardiology Unit at OAUTHC and has trained across leading global institutions.
Adegboyega commended Dr. Olawoye, a pharmacist and academic, for his expertise in pharmaceutical chemistry, particularly in the areas of pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics. With numerous publications in high-impact journals, his work has gained international recognition.
Both honourees donated two hundred (200) pairs of gloves worthsix hundred thousand naira (₦600,000) to the FRSC, underscoring their commitment to practical service.
The event also featured two lectures. In his presentation titled “From Trauma to Triumph: Strengthening Emergency Response and Road Safety for Nigeria’s Future,” Prof. Okeniyi highlighted the dangers posed by poor road infrastructure and the alarming rise in road crashes. He noted that nearly 1.99 million people die globally in crashes each year, while between 20 and 50 million others sustain injuries. He therefore urged urgent government intervention, particularly during the high-risk Ember months.
In his lecture titled “Present State of Substance and Drug Abuse: Societal Impacts and the Way Forward,” Dr. Olawoye decried the increasing abuse of codeine, opioids, cannabis, and other substances. He stressed that addiction renders individuals unproductive and endangers lives. He further called on both government and parents to take decisive action to curb the menace.
In his goodwill message, the Chief Medical Director of UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Prof. Afolabi Adeola, described Prof. Okeniyi as a man of integrity and wisdom, while lauding Dr. Olawoye as a Christian father figure and economic contributor whose counsel has guided many.
The ceremony ended with the presentation of portraits to the honourees, a vote of thanks by Elder Hezekiel Aluko, and closing remarks by Prince Tunde Ajiboye.
