Stakeholders Want Safety Culture, Emergency Preparedness Strengthened

The Lagos State Safety Commission and stakeholders who converged on Lagos State for a one-day forum emphasised the need for renewed collaboration among safety practitioners, regulators, and the private sector to strengthen safety culture and enhance emergency preparedness across the state.

Declaring the forum with the theme: “Strengthening Safety Culture and Emergency Preparedness Among Safety Practitioners in Lagos,” open, the Director-General of the Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, emphasised that safety remains everyone’s responsibility and a shared value that must underpin all human, industrial, and environmental activities in the state.

Mojola, represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Dr  Adetola Akindele, in his welcome address, described the forum as “a strategic platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and strengthening partnerships between government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and community actors.”

He noted that Lagos, as a fast-growing megacity, faces peculiar challenges arising from urbanisation, industrial expansion, and increasing population density, stressing that safety and emergency preparedness must therefore remain top priorities.

“The true success of our collective efforts depends on how effectively we cultivate a sustainable safety culture built on awareness, accountability, and continuous improvement.

“Together, we can ensure that safety standards are not only enforced but embraced as a way of life.”

The Director-General highlighted the Commission’s ongoing reforms in safety audits, risk management advocacy, and proactive emergency response measures, affirming the state government’s commitment to creating a safer, more resilient Lagos.

He urged participants to develop practical strategies that would deepen preparedness for emergencies, strengthen institutional capacity, and equip safety practitioners with tools for effective crisis response.

Delivering a paper titled “Emerging Trends in Leadership and Collaboration,” international leadership and training expert Mr Olanrewaju Akinnuoye emphasised the importance of accurate data in decision-making, warning against the mishandling of information in safety management.

“Without credible data, we cannot make informed decisions,” Akinnuoye noted. “We must also strengthen safety culture and emergency preparedness as integral components of leadership and collaboration.”