----Commends Sanwo-Olu’s safety drive, seeks grassroots partnership.
By Kayode Olopade
The Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships aimed at deepening safety awareness and compliance across the state, as it received a delegation from the Institute of Safety Professionals in Nigeria (ISPON) on a courtesy visit.
The visit was geared towards both parties exchange of views on strengthening safety culture, especially at the grassroots level.
Welcoming the delegation, the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, encouraged open engagement and assured the visitors of the Commission’s readiness to collaborate in advancing safety standards.
Mojola noted that greater achievements are possible through collaboration, stressing that the Commission remains open to partnerships that promote safety in Lagos State. He advised the visiting team to copy the Safety Commission in their correspondence to Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, particularly on matters relating to safety initiatives.
The Director-General recalled that some safety-related trainings had been observed about two years ago, focusing on safe work practices and effective safety management. He disclosed that the Commission’s major focus for the year includes market safety and transportation safety, adding that the Commission has already partnered with several professional institutes and remains open to further collaboration.
“There is no harm in partnering with Lagos State,” Mr. Mojola said, emphasizing that the state is open to all credible stakeholders in the area of safety.
Speaking earlier, the President of the Institute of Safety Professionals in Nigeria, Chief Stephen Udezi, said the visit was long overdue, noting that since assuming office, he had been eagering to engage directly with the Lagos State Safety Commission, just as he expressed appreciation to the Commission’s management for receiving his team and requested that the Lagos Safety Boss convey the Institute’s goodwill and greetings to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Chief Udezi appealed to the Lagos State Government to support efforts aimed at taking safety advocacy to the grassroots, through continuous engagement and progressive visits, in order to achieve better safety outcomes for Nigerians, particularly in Lagos State.
He also commended the Governor’s safety initiatives, citing a recent safety memo which he described as a “pleasant birthday gift” to him, in recognition of the positive direction of safety governance in the state
Among other requests, Udezi urged that the Lagos State Safety Commission be formally listed among the Institute’s recognised bodies. He further requested the Director-General’s support in facilitating a visit to the Governor’s Office, where the Institute hopes to formally honour Governor Sanwo-Olu with a Progressive Safety Award, in appreciation of the safety transformations witnessed in Lagos State as the first in sub-Saharan Africa.
He also expressed the Institute’s strong interest in a formal partnership with the Commission, stating that such collaboration would significantly advance safety professionalism and compliance, he added that regulators in oil and gas industry should partner with ISPON as corporate members .
During the interactive session, members of the delegation raised concerns about the possibility of subsidising certification for individuals who may not have formal education.
Responding, Chief Udezi explained that while some categories of participants undergo formal schooling, junior-level cadres are also accommodated within the Institute’s training framework.
Another member of the delegation Dr. (Mrs) Monica Nwosu emphasized the need to find effective ways to synchronise the activities of the Institute with those of the Lagos State Safety Commission.
Technical Advise, Safety Commission, Mr. Seun Awojobi in his vote of thanks said the Commission is poised in leaving a legacy that will endure, he noted that standardization and basic safety training , sensitization, advocacy coordination and compliance should be prioritize before certification of the informal sector.
Chairman, ISPON, Lagos branch, Mr. Olusola Ogunleye in his remarks, added that improving attendance procedures and streamlining processes would help accelerate engagement and enhance overall efficiency.
The meeting ended with mutual assurances of continued dialogue and collaboration towards strengthening safety culture and protecting lives and property across Lagos State.
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