Fr. Kelvin Ugwu, a Catholic missionary priest serving in Gambia, has urged Nigerians to prioritize their safety as the ’ember months’—September, October, November, and December—begin.
Speaking on Sunday, September 1, Fr. Ugwu emphasized the importance of practical safety measures alongside prayers against accidents and harmful beliefs tied to these months.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Fr. Ugwu advised vehicle owners to focus on maintaining their vehicles, noting that such actions are crucial in preventing accidents often attributed to superstitious beliefs.
He addressed the widespread notion that the ’ember months’ are particularly dangerous, a belief still held by many Nigerians despite repeated warnings from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to disregard such superstitions.
Fr. Ugwu outlined five key precautions for road users during this period:
- Vehicle Maintenance: He urged people to perform necessary vehicle maintenance, including changing the oil, checking brakes, and ensuring the shock absorbers and coolant are in good condition.
- Tyre Safety: Fr. Ugwu warned against compromising on tyre quality, explaining that tyres play a critical role in supporting the vehicle’s load, ensuring traction, absorbing road shocks, and maintaining direction. He cautioned, “If they are bald, they are bad.”
- Alcohol Consumption: He stressed the importance of avoiding alcohol while driving, noting that it remains a significant cause of road accidents. “If you must drink, don’t drive; if you must drive, don’t drink,” he advised.
- Seatbelt Use: Fr. Ugwu emphasized the importance of wearing seatbelts at all times, regardless of the distance being traveled. “If you think the distance is too short for you to use a seatbelt, then it means the distance is too short for you to drive. Trek instead,” he said.
- Avoiding Speeding: Finally, he cautioned against speeding, reminding drivers that the road is not a racetrack. “There is no medal for the driver who overtook every vehicle on the way. Kill some of those childish instincts making you think the mark of a driver is to speed. Speed kills,” he concluded.
Fr. Ugwu’s advice comes as a timely reminder for Nigerians to combine practical safety measures with their prayers, ensuring they navigate the ’ember months’ safely and responsibly.
