{"id":236231,"date":"2025-10-03T14:10:29","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T14:10:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.name.ng\/news\/ferma-launches-operation-safeguard-the-road-in-abia-youth-empowerment-and-safer-roads-take-center-stage-watch-video\/"},"modified":"2025-10-03T14:10:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T14:10:29","slug":"ferma-launches-operation-safeguard-the-road-in-abia-youth-empowerment-and-safer-roads-take-center-stage-watch-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/ferma-launches-operation-safeguard-the-road-in-abia-youth-empowerment-and-safer-roads-take-center-stage-watch-video\/","title":{"rendered":"FERMA Launches \u2018Operation Safeguard The Road\u2019 in Abia: Youth Empowerment and Safer Roads Take Center Stage | WATCH VIDEO"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<h4 data-start=\"4562\" data-end=\"4812\"><em>The Federal Government has launched Operation Safeguard The Road (OSGR) in <a href=\"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/abia\">Abia <\/a>State through FERMA, focusing on road safety, youth empowerment, and skill acquisition. Click to read the full story on how this initiative is transforming communities.<\/em><\/h4>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Operation Safeguard The Road Kicks Off in Abia: FERMA Engages Youths in Road Maintenance\" width=\"740\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Kd5FyO62TaA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"kvezio kvezio-clearfix kvezio-post-inline kvezio-float-center kvezio-align-center kvezio-column-1\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Who Cheats More: Married Men or Women? | IFENKILI (PREMIUM IGBO CONTENT)\" width=\"740\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_kcF0IcrtLU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em><strong>\u2026 Programme kicks off at Azumini, Ukwa East as Engr. Okafor Festus urges youths to seize skill-acquisition opportunities<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), has officially launched Operation Safeguard The Road (OSGR) in <a href=\"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/abia\">Abia <\/a>State, a bold initiative designed to improve road safety, empower youths, and promote community-driven infrastructure maintenance.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-2\" style=\"margin: 8px 0; clear: both;\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The programme, which flagged off today, 2nd October 2025, at Azumini in Ukwa East Local Government Area, is part of FERMA\u2019s broader effort to enhance road conditions, reduce accidents, and create short-term employment for youths aged 18\u201345 across local communities.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Speaking during the launch, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer, <a href=\"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/abia\">Abia <\/a>State, Engr. Okafor Festus Obiora, FNSE, described the initiative as both a development and empowerment project.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis programme is tailored as an empowerment program for the youth. It is good to employ our young people and engage them meaningfully. As you are cleaning the roads, you are also cleaning your community. At the same time, you have the opportunity to learn new skills. From pothole patching, asphalt laying, to operating maintenance machines\u2014these are skills that can become future sources of income,\u201d Engr. Festus stated.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He further encouraged youths to approach the project with an open mind, stressing that the temporary employment opportunity also doubles as a training ground for self-sustenance.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"kvezio kvezio-clearfix kvezio-post-middle kvezio-float-center kvezio-align-center kvezio-column-1\">\n<div id=\"kvezio-178990-659769581\" class=\"kvezio-container kvezio-type-image \" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/WPAdBlock\" data-adid=\"178990\" data-type=\"image\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"kvezio-image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.sumofunnel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/cover-1-scaled.jpg?w=1170&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"news paper\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Representing FERMA\u2019s Managing Director\/CEO, Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, PhD, FNSE, the Zonal Director, South East II, Engr. Suleiman Mohammed, emphasized that OSGR aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu\u2019s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that the programme is strategically designed to promote road safety, foster community ownership, discourage vandalism, and enhance socio-economic resilience.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/abia\">Abia <\/a>OSGR project covers:<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong>Vegetation control for better road visibility<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li\/>\n<li><em><strong>Drainage management to reduce flooding<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li\/>\n<li><em><strong>Pothole patching and minor road repairs<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li\/>\n<li><em><strong>Hands-on training in road maintenance operations<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li\/>\n<li><em><strong>Stipend payments for participating youths<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>OSGR builds on FERMA\u2019s earlier programmes such as the Stakeholders Assisted Rights of Way Maintenance Implementation Programme (SHAROW-MIP) and the Stakeholders Assisted Rights of Way Economic Sustainability Programme (SHAROW-ESP), both of which reinforced the agency\u2019s commitment to inclusive, people-centered road maintenance.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Operation Safeguard The Road Kicks Off in Abia: FERMA Engages Youths in Road Maintenance\" width=\"740\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Kd5FyO62TaA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The launch of OSGR in <a href=\"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/abia\">Abia <\/a>represents not just improved infrastructure, but also a lifeline of empowerment for young people searching for opportunities.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_195474\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-195474\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-195474 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261065.jpg?resize=1170%2C658&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"FERMA Launches \u2018Operation Safeguard The Road\u2019 in Abia: Youth Empowerment and Safer Roads Take Center Stage | WATCH VIDEO\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261065.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261065.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261065.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261065.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261065.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261065.jpg?resize=860%2C484&amp;ssl=1 860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-195474\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">FERMA Launches \u2018Operation Safeguard The Road\u2019 in Abia: Youth Empowerment and Safer Roads Take Center Stage | WATCH VIDEO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-195473 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261066.jpg?resize=1170%2C658&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261066.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261066.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261066.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261066.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261066.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/afnews.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261066.jpg?resize=860%2C484&amp;ssl=1 860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h3 class=\"jp-relatedposts-headline\"><em>Related<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-1\" style=\"margin: 8px 0; clear: both;\">\n<h3><strong>Listen to top Radio Stations in <a href=\"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/abia\">Abia <\/a>State CLICK HERE<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 -->\n<\/div>\n<p>https:\/\/afnews.ng\/ferma-launches-operation-safeguard-the-road-in-abia\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Federal Government has launched Operation Safeguard The Road (OSGR) in Abia State through FERMA, focusing on road safety, youth empowerment, and skill acquisition. Click to read the full story on how this initiative is transforming communities. \u00a0 \u2026 Programme kicks off at Azumini, Ukwa East as Engr. Okafor Festus urges youths to seize skill-acquisition [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":236233,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[176],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-236231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abia"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1008261070.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/236231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=236231"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/236231\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/236233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=236231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=236231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=236231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}