The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, says it has responded to 9,688 cases between 1st of June, 2019 and 30th of December, 2025.
Permanent Secretary LASEMA Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who made this known at the Agency’s year 2025 Junior Staff retreat held at the relief camp in Igando, said last year between 1st January, 2025, and 30th December, 2025, LASEMA has responded to 1,156 cases so far.
Records show that LASEMA responded to 108 cases in January, 122 in February, 117 in March, 121 in April, 119 cases in May, and 112 in June, 2025.In the second half of the year, LASEMA attended to 58 cases in July, 80 in August, 102 cases in September, 97 in October, 67 in November, and 53 in the month of December, 2025.
According to him, the figures illustrate the agency’s commitment to promptly addressing emergencies and ensuring public safety in Lagos and its immediate environs.
Dr Oke-Osanyintolu noted that to build a resilient and efficient LASEMA, is to have the ability to stand firm in difficult situations and adapt to changing realities, doing the right things, at the right time, with the right resources and to build such an agency, hence the need to engage in continuous learning, integrity and accountability with respect for hierarchy and teamwork, to ensure work ethics and positive attitude.
The LASEMA Boss saluted the resilience of the junior staff of the Agency who he described as the backbone of LASEMA and the future of emergency and disaster management in Lagos State.
Dr Oke-Osanyintolu noted that LASEMA’s strength does not lay only in equipment, technology, or leadership titles, but in the commitment, discipline, and professionalism of its workforce, especially the junior staff who are the frontliner in emergencies.
“Therefore, this year’s retreat is not just another official gathering, it is a strategic investment in you as you are the first to receive distress calls, you are the officers at incident scenes during difficult operations, you are the vehicle drivers, heavy and light duty equipment operators, logisticians, data handlers, safety officers, and support staff who work long hours, often under pressure and very high risk”.
Oke-Osanyintolu said “Without your dedication to duty, preparedness plans remain documents, response strategies remain theories, and recovery efforts remain incomplete.
Strengthening Preparedness is a responsibility that begins with knowledge, training, and attitude.
It is understanding the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), maintaining readiness of equipment and logistics, updating skills and competencies, taking drills, simulations, and trainings seriously”.
“Preparedness is not only about reacting to emergencies; it is about anticipating them.
Every lesson you learn here, is a handy tool you will use in the field.
Effective Response requires coordination, discipline and teamwork.
Your professionalism is tested during emergencies with no room for panic or individualism; So, you must understand your role within the team and perform it with due respect for command structures, clear communication and strict adherence to safety protocols”.
Dr Oke-Osanyintolu encouraged the participants to see themselves not just as staff, but as professionals and ambassadors of LASEMA, noting that Leadership is not defined by rank alone.
“Every officer can lead through discipline, initiative, responsibility, respect for colleagues and the public we serve many of today’s leaders in LASEMA started exactly where you are today. Your growth depends on your dedication, conduct, and willingness to improve”.
The LASEMA Boss maintained that a resilient and efficient LASEMA could be more formidable through preparedness, responsiveness and capability of supporting recovery across Lagos State.
The theme of the retreat is “Building a Resilient and Efficient LASEMA: Strengthening Preparedness, Response and Recovery in Lagos State”.
Written by Yemisi Dada