My Final Salute To Dauda Biu

My brother, friend, and colleague, Kayode Olagunju, beat me to the tape. He crafted a beautiful piece captioned, ’The last dance with Corps Marshal Dauda Biu’. Unfortunately, I was not privileged to have a dance with him before his demise. I have therefore chosen, ‘’My last salute to Dauda Biu’’, as the caption for my dear boss who kissed mother earth goodbye on the evening of Sunday,11 October 2026.

On that day, we lost one of the quiet builders of the Federal Road Safety Corps. Some have described him as a gem. To others, he was a man who represented justice and fairness. Yet to others, he was a leader who created vacancies for promotion where none existed. A leader who gave appointments without knowing the appointees. A leader whose tenure, though brief, was remarkable and outstanding, as he meant well. A rare leader.

Dauda Biu was the leader who sought to expand the Corps’ reach as a plank for improving its performance in all respects. That singular decision led to the creation of a Unit in my community, Amasiri, in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as well as in other communities. Dauda’s tenure as Corps Marshal was remarkable. His short spell brought smiles to the faces of staff through promotions and other welfare instruments.

I was privileged to be his spokesperson, although my appointment was flavoured by mini-drama, reminiscent of Dauda Biu and his unique leadership style. I recall being conscripted by him to honour an invitation at the National Assembly. During a personal introduction, a member who had heard my name quickly asked me why ‘Oga Driver’, an interactive road safety programme on the radio, was no longer being aired. My boss immediately cut in, informing the committee that it would be reactivated, a comment that stunned me, since he had never shown any interest in the programme, at least to my knowledge.

When we arrived at the national headquarters, there were whispers that I would be leaving the operations department where I was heading, in an acting capacity, after the retirement of Deputy Corps Marshal Kayode Fanola, my former boss. I dismissed the whisper only for a formal deployment from the operations department to the Public Education office as the head was published. I took over immediately in January 2024. While I was still pondering the rationale for my deployment, he summoned me with a directive to bring back Oga Driver, which, to me, was a testament to his being a quiet fan. That programme currently runs on the FRSC National Traffic Radio, 107.1 FM, Abuja, as his legacy.

Barely three months after assumption, I won the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Spokesperson Award as Outstanding Security Spokesperson (Non-military). On the day I presented the Award and certificate to him, I was stunned by his excitement about having the award captured and posted on the Corps website. He immediately directed the photographers to be summoned to capture us holding onto the award and certificate, which demonstrated his appreciation for excellence, even though he did not monetise the excitement. I saluted him in acknowledgement of his financial sponsorship of my participation, which made the award possible.

I held that office briefly before his exit, but as the spokesperson who worked with him before his exit, Dauda Biu was moulded differently from all who held forth before him. Dauda Biu did not flaunt himself but had an impact on the Corps during his short tenure. No wonder, the death of this former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), was met with grief across the Corps where he served for over three decades, among the big and small from his home constituency, and among the many staff who knew him as both colleague and boss.

Today, I celebrate a life of service to humanity and country, as well as loyalty to the Corps. Biu was born in 1964 in Sabon Gari, Zaria, Kaduna State and held the traditional title of Jagaban Sabon Gari. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree 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 staff. He rose through the ranks, serving as Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Finance and Accounts in 2014 before becoming Deputy Corps Marshal in 2016. He was among the eggheads who built Nigeria’s road safety system.

He was the sheriff at the financé and accounts department 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 becoming the seventh substantive head of the FRSC who held sway between July 2022 and May 2024.

I recall his first address to staff where he pledged to uphold the Corps’ mandate, and indeed within the short spell, he proved himself worthy of his promises as captured by staff, friends, as well as his community who demonstrated their love for him by the teeming crowd that attended his final burial rite to say goodbye. During his tenure, Biu wielded the big stick against reckless drivers and showed compassion for staff who fell victim to such recklessness.

His legacy lies in the Agency he helped to build. The officers whose careers he resuscitated through promotions that raised morale. His welfare plans, despite certain odds, were timely. His admiration for using the Radio as a platform for reaching the Corps ‘ public stood tall. For being a leader who dared to be different, who was not loud but effective and impactful, I again give you my final salute. Biu is survived by a wife and five children. To them I offer my deepest condolences. I pray for Almighty Allah’s comfort for his family. The nation. The Corps. Friends. Stakeholders. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and accept his good deeds. Rest in peace, Corps Marshal Dauda Biu.