Lagos Safety Commission holds 2024 annual retreat, fashions out strategies to repositioning the Commission as a fully regulated agency.

 

By Kayode Olopade 

The Lagos State Safety Commission at the weekend held its Annual Staff Retreat with the theme: "Repositioning the Safety Commission as a fully Regulatory agency following the establishment of Occupational Safety Officers' Cadre".

The event, attended by key dignitaries, heads of departments and guests, focused on how to  repositioning the agency to a fully regulated agency, especially, now, that the agency had fully established its occupational safety officers Cadre.

Welcoming participants and acknowledging the presence of esteemed Special Guest, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Agency, Mr Sesan Ogundeko, the Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, expressed gratitude for their support, sense of dedication and due diligence. 

Mojola expressed appreciation to the participants, who also doubled as the management team and head of departments of various units in the agency, but pointed out that they need not rest on their oars but strive hard to raise the bar of the Agency, at least to be positioned as a fully regulated agency especially now that the agency had succeeded in the establishment of Occupational Safety Officers' Cadre in the agency. 

"In as much as I would commend the management and the contributions of the agency, which, without being economical with the truth were actualized by all of us here. But we need to be truthful to ourselves that we need to work harder, to ensure that the safety Commission is fully positioned as a fully regulated agency.

Let's build the professionalism and ensure Lagos of our dream is achieved", Mojola said.

He commended Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide  Sanwo-Olu, for always putting safety of the state, as his priority, adding that this is the more reason why the agency as an ambassador of safety,  should think outside the box and not rest on our oars as far as taking safety of the state to a higher level. 

Let's move from where we were last year to a new sphere", he said.

In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Sesan Ogundeko, said without any doubt, Lagos State Safety Commission is an Agency with exceptional performance and as such recognized by His Excellency, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, but however, warned that they should not relent until Lagos delivers on its individual and joint mandate as far as safety  and progress of the state is concerned. 

"Apart from safeguarding lives and upholding the standard of work and domestic abode, you as safety officers must ensure a very safe, secure, functional and productive Lagos State that all of us would be proud of, including our action and ever-ready Governor", Ogundeko said.

He emphasized that “The Retreat is not just about theoretical discussions; it is about laying a practical roadmap for the Lagos State’s safety Commission to maintain its standard and even achieve more to be fully positioned as a fully regulated agency.   So please this is a retreat, say all that you need to say to move the agency forward. This is a retreat to make us adjust and reaffirm our mission and focus", he said.

Declaring the Retreat open, the Permanent Secretary,  Mr Sesan Ogundeko, commended the Lagos State Safety Commission and urged participants to fully engage, share insights, challenge conventional thinking, and develop actionable strategies to position Lagos Safety Commission. 

The Executive Director, Safety Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation, Engr. Jamiu Badmos in his lecture said the need for the establishment of the Commission was borne out of the dream to build a society that values lives through a change in unsafe behaviors, and attitude that would increase life expectancy, national productivity and ultimately improve quality of life, reduce accidents, injuries, illnesses, diseases and enhance condusive environment for investment and continuity.

Different papers were presented by the heads of the department of the agency with various achievements, challenges and prospective action plans to move the agency forward this year 2025