Mental health and emotional resilience in challenge times are not defines by absence of distress but by the capacity to adapt, recover and grow despite adversity.
Hence the need for emergency responders in Lagos to prioritize their mental health for effective service delivery to residents.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, made the call at the opening of a two day senior staff Year 2025 retreat held in Ikeja.
Dr Oke-Osanyintolu who harped on the importance of teamwork, said every officer can lead through discipline, initiative, responsibility, respect for colleagues and the public, if they are mentally stable.
Many of today’s leaders in LASEMA started exactly where you are today, your growth depends on your dedication, conduct, and willingness to improve”.
“A resilient and efficient LASEMA could be more formidable through preparedness, responsiveness and capability of supporting recovery across Lagos State”.
The LASEMA Boss cautioned against reckless spending and encouraging staff to cultivate the habit of saving for the dry season.
Dr Oke-Osanyintolu reiterated the commitment of the Sanwo-Olu’s administration to protection of lives and property due to his huge investment in high technology equipment, hinting that more have been purchased and will be inaugurated soon.
“You have to know that effective response requires coordination, discipline and teamwork, therefore strengthening preparedness is a responsibility that begins with knowledge, training, and attitude, because it will aid understanding the Standard Operating Procedures, maintaining readiness of equipment and logistics, updating skills and competencies, taking drills, simulations, and training seriously”.
“Preparedness is not only about reacting to emergencies; it is about anticipating them.
Commending LASEMA staff for their efforts in emergency response last year, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental relations, Mr Sesan Ogundeko, assured them of Governor Sanwo-Olu support through training and retraining to boost their human capacity to deliver on their mandate for the benefit of Lagosians.
“LASEMA staff are highly commended and one of the ways to say thank you to them is this retreat, for them to unwind, have fun and relax outside work and as well learn new things to work effectively because every lesson they learn here, is a handy tool for use on the field” Ogundeko said.
On his part, Chairman House committee on Special Duties and Intergovernmental relations, Mr Olawale Age-Sulaiman, promised that the Lagos Assembly will continue to perform its oversight function in ensuring that emergency and disaster management in the state is of global best practices.
Different professional including Clinical Psychologist sensitised LASEMA Senior Staff on Mental Health Education with focus on managing stress and burnout, emotional intelligence at work, coping with economic and personal pressures and staying motivated in public service among others.
Written by Yemisi Dada