Introduction to Safety in Nigeria
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, stated this in a recent statement.
Challenges in Safety Practices
Nigeria still faces major challenges in safety practices, especially a lack of awareness and a reactive culture toward safety. According to Olalokun, "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."
Upcoming International Conference and World Safety Awards
WSO will host the eighth edition of its International Conference and World Safety Awards (WoSAwards) on September 11 and 12 in Ikeja, in an effort to promote safety practices. The conference will have the theme: "PROGRESS: Promoting Resilient Occupational, Governance, Risk Management, and Environmental Safety Standards". Over 2,000 safety, security, health, and environment professionals, policymakers, regulators, academics, and industry leaders across the world are expected to participate in the event.
Conference Highlights
The conference will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, technical paper presentations, and the investiture of SafERR Global Ambassadors, as well as the induction of new members into the SafERR Global Institute. A major highlight will be the WoSAwards Gala Night, where over 32 corporate organisations and 31 individuals will be honoured for their contributions to advancing safety, security, health, environment, and sustainability. Participants will also benefit from free training on emergency response.
Benefits of the Conference
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." The impact will be both immediate and long-term, as participants will gain hands-on knowledge to save lives, while industries and communities will benefit from improved safety practices.
Economic Benefits of Improved Safety
According to Olalokun, "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."
Conclusion
In conclusion, improving safety in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach that involves leadership commitment, stronger laws, grassroots education, and collaboration among various stakeholders. The upcoming International Conference and World Safety Awards is a step in the right direction, as it aims to promote safety practices, recognise safety champions, and empower individuals with life-saving skills.
FAQs
Q: What is the theme of the upcoming International Conference and World Safety Awards?
A: The theme of the conference is "PROGRESS: Promoting Resilient Occupational, Governance, Risk Management, and Environmental Safety Standards".
Q: Who is expected to participate in the conference?
A: Over 2,000 safety, security, health, and environment professionals, policymakers, regulators, academics, and industry leaders across the world are expected to participate.
Q: What are the benefits of the conference?
A: The conference aims to educate, recognise, and empower individuals, and its impact will be both immediate and long-term, with participants gaining hands-on knowledge to save lives and industries and communities benefiting from improved safety practices.
Q: How can improved safety practices benefit the economy?
A: Improved safety practices can lead to a more productive and economically-viable Nigeria, with reduced accidents resulting in less downtime, lower healthcare costs, and a more attractive environment for investors.
Source: nannews.ng
