On Sunday, the arrival of September, also known as the 'ember months,' will be upon us. Fr. Kelvin Ugwu, a Catholic missionary priest serving in Gambia, has urged Nigerians to put their safety first.
Before turning to prayer for protection from accidents and bloodsucking demons, Ugwu urged car owners to undertake all required maintenance.
The remark arrives at a time when a large number of Nigerians continue to believe the falsehood that the 'ember months' (September, October, November, and December) pose a greater danger of accidents, particularly on the roads, than other months.
They believe that 'juju' operations, or superstitious rituals, are responsible for the occurrence.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has debunked the superstition association of the ember months on multiple occasions, although many people continue to believe it.
On Sunday, he published a Facebook post outlining five safety measures that individuals should take.
He kindly asked that during the "Ember" months, when prayers are being performed to ward off mishaps and bloodsucking monsters, the following five things be remembered.
"Oil: Do all that you can to keep up with your car's required maintenance. Get the oil changed, inspect the brakes, replace the shock absorber if needed, and make sure the coolant is in the car.
Never risk your safety by settling for subpar automobile tyres. The vehicle's weight is supported, traction and braking forces are transmitted to the road surface by the tyres, which also absorb road shocks and change and maintain the direction of movement. Baldness is a sign of badness.
When it comes to alcohol, it's important to remember not to drink and drive. Drunk driving is still a leading cause of traffic accidents.
Always fasten your seatbelt. The distance is too small to drive if you feel the need to use a seatbelt, regardless of how far away it is. Go on a mission instead.
Disrupting other drivers' flow: The road is not a track where speed is a competition. The driver who passed every vehicle on the route does not receive a medal. Put an end to your naive belief that speeding is a driver's badge of honor. Get your speed on!
