By Nkechi Macaulay
Concerned about the safety of Nigerians in all areas, a group of experts in Safety and Emergency preparedness have called for constant safety education for the Nigerian populace.
The call was made at the 2023 Africa Ambassador’s Summit on ” The Importance of safety and Emergency Response Readiness in Africa ” put together by SAFERR in Lagos.
One of them, Mr John Okezie Ekpe, General Manager, Safety Services at the Federal Airport Authority Nigeria, FAAN, stressed the importance of self-essence concept training and continuous vigilance in daily life.
He emphasized the need for public education on safety measures, ” citing a concerning incident involving a politician unsafe residence.
In a message to the occasion, Chief Margaret Abimola, the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, urged members of the public to always remember that prevention is superior to intervention.
Mrs. Abimbola was represented by Mr. Amodu Shakiru.
The Chairman, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mr. Festus Alenkhe urged Nigerians to prioritize safety, be vigilant against crime, and adopt a low-key lifestyle.
” The more you express flamboyancy, the more you attract people to yourself, the danger is high adding that people must be conscious especially at this time when the country is witnessing all sorts of vices, both natural and otherwise”. Alenkhe
The President of the Nigerian Association of Master Marinas, Mr Tajudeen Alao, lauded global safety initiative, emphasizing environmental preservation and the dangers of tanker accidents.
” According to him, tanker accidents are usually terrible and kills more people than you can ever imagine, hence the need to always give way to tanker drivers when it is necessary to do so, do not drag the right of way or be rascal on wheels for the safety of everyone “.
National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Southwest Coordinator, Mr. Ibrahim Faruloye expressed gratitude for SAFERR’s program and addressed issues like flooding in Lagos saying, although flooding is classified as natural disaster, building on water ways, living in flood prone areas and indiscriminate dumping of refuse are some of the problems supporting flooding.
” it is advisable that as government creates awareness on the dangers in abusing the environment, Nigerians should also see it as life saving mechanisms considering the fact that lives are usually lost on such occasions “.Faruloye
Country Director, SAFERR, Mr. Soji Olalokun said, the ambassadors were making significant strides in safety and emergency education in Nigeria, he promised that the organization would do more.
Governor General Dr. Wilson Arikpo who introduced the “SAFERR” concept, emphasized the role of volunteers in safeguarding lives, property, and the environment and appealed to Nigerians to join in the crusade.
The theme of the seminar which was ” The Importance of safety and Emergency Response Readiness in Africa ” witnessed
the induction of 72 individuals into different categories.