Organisation seeks stronger laws, grassroots education to improve safety
By Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe
Improving safety in Nigeria requires leadership commitment, stronger laws, grassroots education and collaboration among governments, the private sector, academia and professional bodies, the World Safety Organisation (WSO) has said.
Dr Soji Olalokun, Country Director of WSO Nigeria and Executive Director of SafERR Networks, said this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
He said that Nigeria still faced major challenges in safety practices, especially lack of awareness and a reactive culture toward safety.
“Our concern is that safety is still treated as a box-ticking exercise rather than a way of life.
“Many accidents we see are avoidable if there is awareness, training and strong enforcement of safety rules,” Olalokun said.
He said that WSO would host the eighth edition of its International Conference and World Safety Awards (WoSAwards) on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 in Ikeja in an effort to promote safety practices.
Olalokun said that the conference would have the theme: “PROGRESS: Promoting Resilient Occupational, Governance, Risk Management, and Environmental Safety Standards”.
He said that more than 2,000 safety, security, health and environment professionals, policymakers, regulators, academics and industry leaders across the world were being expected to participate in the event.
He said that the conference would feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, technical paper presentations and investiture of SafERR Global Ambassadors, as well as induction of new members into the SafERR Global Institute.
According to him, a major highlight will be the WoSAwards Gala Night, where more than 32 corporate organisations and 31 individuals would be honoured for their contributions to advancing safety, security, health, environment and sustainability.
He said that participants would benefit from free training on emergency response.
Olalokun described the conference as a platform to educate, recognise and empower.
“It is not just another conference. It is a movement for change. We want to create heroes out of safety champions, equip Nigerians with life-saving skills, and promote a new culture where safety becomes natural for everyone,” he said.
He said that the impact would be both immediate and long-term, as participants would gain hands-on knowledge to save lives, while industries and communities would benefit from improved safety practices.
“A safer Nigeria is a more productive and economically-viable Nigeria.
“Reduced accidents mean less downtime, lower healthcare costs and a more attractive environment for investors,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
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