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Tag: AfriSAFE

  • Finsbury Heinz awarded AfriSAFE safety honour after 12,000-entry review

    Finsbury Heinz awarded AfriSAFE safety honour after 12,000-entry review

    Nigeria’s Quality, Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability professionals (QHSES) from across Africa gathered in Mombasa, Kenya, as Finsbury Heinz Limited received continental recognition for its work in workplace safety and sustainability.

    The company won the AfriSAFE Auditing and Certification Company of the Year 2025 award at the Africa Safety Award for Excellence, an event focused on safety, health, and sustainability practices across the continent.

    The ceremony brought together regulators, safety professionals, policy makers, and private sector leaders from several African countries, highlighting growing attention on workplace safety and governance.

    According to AfriSAFE Chief Executive Officer, Femi Da Silva, the selection process was extensive. He said nearly 12,000 entries from 34 African countries were assessed by reviewers from Africa, Europe, and the United States.

    “Being shortlisted alone is already an achievement,” Da Silva said. “Every finalist reflects strong commitment, measurable impact, and leadership in advancing workplace health and safety across Africa.”

    The award was presented by  Elizabeth Lungu-Nkumbula, President of the Africa Vision Zero Network, an organisation that promotes zero harm in workplaces worldwide. She said the recognition reflects the standards Finsbury Heinz Limited continues to uphold in safety and sustainability practices.

    “This award speaks to consistency, discipline, and influence,” Lungu-Nkumbula said. “Finsbury Heinz has demonstrated what is possible when safety and sustainability are treated as core business values.”

    She also recognised Jamiu Badmos, Managing Consultant of Finsbury Heinz Limited, describing his role in advancing occupational safety systems across industries in Africa.

    In his remarks, Badmos thanked God for what he described as the opportunity to “serve humanity through safety.” He restated his commitment to safetainability, a concept he introduced to combine safety and sustainability into one operational focus.

    He also called on the Nigerian government to sign the Occupational Safety and Health Bill into law, saying stronger legal support is needed to improve workplace safety culture.

    “Africa cannot afford preventable workplace injuries,” he said. “Policy, enforcement, and leadership must work together to protect lives.”

    Industry stakeholders say the award reflects rising expectations for safety standards across African workplaces.

  • Lagos wins AfriSAFE Public Safety Award

    Lagos wins AfriSAFE Public Safety Award

    In recognition of its commitment to strengthening emergency response and public safety, Lagos State has been awarded the AfriSAFE Public Safety Personality of the Year.

    The award was presented at the 6th Africa Safety Congress/Award for Excellence (AfriSAFE) 2025, held in Mombasa, Kenya.

    Accepting the award on behalf of Governor Babajide Saneo-Olu, the General Manager, Lagos State Command and Control Centre, Femi Giwa, said the recognition reflected the administration’s commitment in upgrading emergency response infrastructure.

    He noted improved inter-agency collaboration, expanding public awareness campaigns and strengthening operations of toll-free emergency lines 767 and 112 as some of the steps taken toward enhancing public safety.

    Read Also: Lagos APC hails NELFUND’s expansion to vocational training

    Giwa said the award was a reinforcement of the state’s commitment to building a safer, more resilient city through innovation-driven public safety systems.

    AfriSAFE CEO, Femi Da-Silva, said Lagos stood out for its use of technology, improved institutional frameworks and enhanced emergency coordination, which he noted had set a benchmark for other African cities.

  • Afriland Towers fire: AfriSAFE seeks stronger safety measures, accountability

    Afriland Towers fire: AfriSAFE seeks stronger safety measures, accountability

    The Chief Executive Officer of HSENations, organisers of the African Safety Award for Excellence (AfriSAFE), Mr. Femi Da-Silva, has called for systemic reforms and greater accountability following the tragic Afriland Towers fire.

    The inferno at the six-storey commercial building claimed 10 lives, including staff of United Capital and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

    Offering condolences to the bereaved families, Da-Silva said the incident was a stark reminder of systemic failure in safety standards and enforcement.

    Da-silva said, “As we sympathise with the families, we must hold someone responsible for what has happened, no matter how highly placed.

    “Fire management in high-rise buildings starts right from the design stage. Was the building designed with safety in mind? Compartmentation helps keep fires contained, and the use of fire-resistant building materials and fire-rated doors slows down the spread. What about the early warning and quick response system?

    “We also need to look at the people managing the facility. It is a failure of multiple systems as just one failure should not have resulted in such a massive loss of lives”, he said.

    He added, “Without prejudice to the outcome of any investigations, I suspect there was an inadequate emergency evacuation plan in place, and it is unlikely that fire drills were conducted regularly, leading to occupants being ignorant of what to do in this kind of instance.

    Da-silva reiterated that incidents like the Afriland Towers fire are preventable with proactive measures, including the installation of advanced fire suppression systems, conducting mandatory evacuation drills, and ensuring compliance with international safety standards.

    Read Also: Afriland Towers fire: Tinubu, First Lady, Sanwo-Olu, others condole with families, FIRS, UBA, United Capital

    Da-silva, who also coordinates the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference, emphasised that the tragedy exposes the need for action beyond mere expressions of sympathy.

    “As expected, prominent Nigerians have been releasing condolence messages in the wake of this tragedy, but we must move beyond rhetoric and begin to collectively take concrete action,” he said.

    The prominent safety advocate highlighted the role of technology and the importance of staff training in preventing similar incidents.

    He said, “At the 2025 Lagos fire conference, we had an expo for advanced fire surveillance and suppression systems that could have stopped this fire.”

    Da-silva hailed the announcement of a nationwide Fire Safety Compliance Task Force by the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, urging regulators to act with integrity and foresight.

    He called for the launch of an independent probe into the cause of the fire and to hold accountable any parties found responsible for negligence.

    Da-silva disclosed that advancing fire safety will be on the front burner when delegates from various African nations converge in Mombasa, Kenya, in November for the 2025 Africa Safety Conference and Awards (AfriSAFE).

    “As Africa’s leading advocacy organisation for health, safety, and environmental excellence, HSENations stands ready to collaborate with stakeholders to drive these changes”.

    “We cannot afford to wait for another loss of life to spur action. The time for real reform is now,” Da-silva stressed.

  • AfriSAFE launches $20,000 safety innovation to boost innovation across Africa

    AfriSAFE launches $20,000 safety innovation to boost innovation across Africa

    In a bold step to elevate health, safety, security, and environmental (HSSE) standards across Africa, the Africa Safety Award for Excellence (AfriSAFE) has unveiled a new initiative—the AfriSAFE 2025 Safety Idea Capital, offering up to $20,000 in investment funding for promising safety innovations.

    The initiative will connect emerging safety innovators with experienced investors, referred to as “Guardians,” each offering up to $5,000 in exchange for equity in high-impact HSSE ideas.

    Announcing the programme, AfriSAFE CEO Femi Da-Silva reaffirmed the organisation’s dedication to driving safety-focused innovation across the continent.

    He noted that innovators will be invited to pitch their ideas in the run-up to the AfriSAFE 2025 event, scheduled for November in Mombasa, Kenya.

    “This initiative not only provides critical funding, but also mentorship and strategic guidance to bring forward technologies that will make our roads, workplaces, and homes safer,” Da-Silva stated.

    Coinciding with the launch of the Safety Idea Capital, Da-Silva also announced the opening of nominations for the 7th edition of AfriSAFE 2025.

    Read Also: RKK group wins AfriSAFE award for pioneering solar energy solution

    Supported by Seplat Energy, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), and other partners, the awards celebrate individuals and organisations making tangible contributions to safety, environmental protection, and community health.

    The AfriSAFE 2025 awards ceremony will conclude a two-day event beginning with the Africa Safety Congress from November 12–13, organised in partnership with the Workplace Safety Professionals Association of Kenya.

    “Celebrating its 7th year, AfriSAFE continues to serve as a premier platform for raising HSSE awareness, encouraging best practices, and fostering meaningful partnerships. Both individuals and organisations are invited to nominate those who have made significant contributions to creating safer and healthier workplaces”, he said.

    Confirmed sponsors for this year’s edition include Savenda Group, SMTS Zambia, Hybrid Group, Joint Professionals Training and Support International (JPTS)/Global Wealth University, Nigeria Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE), Bellie & Rooster, Fog, Imperium & Aurelius (FIA), Safety Consultants and Solution Providers Limited (SCSP), Sttrutt Integrated Services Limited, The Bristlecone Experience, Military Ltd, Paddie, and the African Occupational Compliance Institute

  • AfriSAFE to improve safety alertness among Africans

    AfriSAFE to improve safety alertness among Africans

    A leading platform for promoting safety and health initiatives across Africa, AfriSAFE has said that organisations and individuals who have demonstrated commitment to safety and health practices in Africa should be encouraged and celebrated.

    AfriSAFE, while encouraging corporate organisations and individuals to nominate deserving candidates and entities, announced the commencement of nominations for its AfriSAFE 2024 event

    According to a statement made available to The Nation, it said the event would take place in the “picturesque country of Zambia, AfriSAFE 2024.”

    It said those who have demonstrated commitment to safety and health practices would be rewarded at this event.

    The statement reads: “It promises an unparalleled experience against the backdrop of Zambia’s rich cultural heritage and natural wonders. Zambia, renowned for its breathtaking Victoria Falls, stands as a beacon of natural beauty and adventure, making it an ideal setting for this year’s event.

    “Nominees and organisations participating in AfriSAFE 2024 can anticipate a stimulating environment conducive to networking and collaboration, set amidst Zambia’s tourist-friendly facilities. The event is endorsed by various organisations including the Ministry of Tourism, Labour and Social Security of Zambia.

    “Headlining AfriSAFE 2024 is Zambia Sugar, demonstrating its steadfast commitment to fostering a culture of safety and health across the African continent. To nominate deserving candidates and organizations for AfriSAFE 2024.

    Read Also: Seplat, Ikeja Electric win big at AfriSAFE 2021 Awards

    “Our technical partners and supporting organisations include; Lifeline Wellness Connect, Lagos State Safety Commission, American Society of Safety Professionals Nigerian Chapter (ASSP), Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON).

    “Also; Zambia Occupational Health and Safety Association (ZOHSA), Workplace Safety Professional Association of Kenya, South African Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Saiosh), Global EHS Professionals; HSEQ Professionals without Boarders; Safety Advocates and Empowerment Foundation among others.

    “Sponsors include the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) ‘the Chartered body and largest membership organization for health and safety professionals. Golden Africa Djibouti, Hybrid DGM group, SMTS Zambia, Flocrunch and Joint Professionals Training and Support International (JPTS)/ Global Wealth University.”