Lagos partners UK to train 500,000 in workplace safety

DIRECTOR-General of Lagos State Safety Commission Mr Hakeem Dickson has said the commission will partner United Kingdom’s Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) to train 500,000 in work safety.

He said his agency, under him, had promoted occupational health and safety through enlightenment and ensuring the right capacity for competency within the state.

Dickson lamented that one of the agency’s challenges was the lack of drive to push health and safety to ther desired level, “hence our collaboration with IOSH UK for this lofty idea.”

“Our aim is to develop safety culture through the leaders where every sector will be compelled to set up safety department. We aim to save more lives and properties, hence our intention of moving the agency from its embryonic level to a more mature level. As such, we’ve decided to bridge this gap by providing tools to enhance competency within the state, hence our collaboration with IOSH UK to help train about 500, 000 people in safety and health in Nigeria”, he said

He said the partnership would strengthen relations and build the capacity of practitioners, managers, graduates in IOSH courses,  and boost the economy.

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The Head of Global Engagement and Partnership in IOSH, Alan Stevens, said his agency would share best practice and learn from others to keep everyone safe.

He said they were in the country to partner Lagos because “we respect and admire the vision and determination of Mr Hakeem Dickson and the Lagos State Safety Commission and we are determined to support… to ensure that the vision becomes a reality.’’

IOSH’s project consultant Mrs Funmi Adegbola said they would partner investors to fund the project.

Lagos State Head of Service Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola said safety was paramount and germaine, stressing governments should be prioritise safety.

Muri-Okunola, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Public Service Office, Mr Samson Ajibade, hailed IOSH UK for its collaboration on transfer of knowledge, but appealed the training should exceed 500,000, and not be limited to Lagos State.