CHUKS OKOH
In a bid to improve safety standards across the country and ensure preventable death in the country is adhered to, the President of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, ISPON, Dr. Stephen Udeze, is seeking for a stronger collaboration between government agencies, schools, artisans and the media
Speaking ahead of ISPON’s 12th anniversary celebration scheduled for Friday in Warri, Delta State, with the theme: “Health and safety management in Nigeria, prospects and retrospects”. at a news conference in Lagos, Dr. Udeze warned that poor safety culture and the activities of unqualified practitioners remain major causes of accidents across industries and communities.
He appealed to state governments to establish safety commissions similar to the model in Lagos State and urged authorities to include ISPON in accident investigations nationwide to improve data collection and prevention strategies.
In a move aimed at attracting public attention, the ISPON President also proposed that safety education be introduced from kindergarten to secondary school level, saying children trained early in safety consciousness would grow into more responsible citizens and help reduce vandalism, unsafe transport practices and workplace accidents.
Dr. Udeze further announced plans for wider collaboration with artisans’ associations, higher institutions and media organisations to take safety campaigns directly to markets, workshops and communities across the country.
He disclosed that ISPON is considering discounted safety training for artisans as part of efforts to improve compliance and save lives.
The institute also reaffirmed that only certified and registered members are legally recognised as safety professionals in Nigeria under the ISPON Act, warning against the growing threat of quack practitioners.
According to him, the anniversary celebration will feature technical sessions focused on the future of health and safety management in Nigeria, while also promoting national awareness on accident prevention and public safety.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Chairman of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, ISPON, Mr. Olusola Ogunleye, says collaboration between the institute and the Lagos State Safety Commission has significantly strengthened safety enforcement and professional standards across key sectors in the state.
He said, activities marking ISPON’s anniversary celebration, Ogunleye said the partnership, backed by the institute’s governing board and the ISPON Act of 2014, has eliminated previous disagreements between both bodies and created a united front for safety regulation in Lagos.
He noted that compliance with the ISPON Act has now become critical for several safety-related operations in the state, while joint enforcement and registration drives are helping to improve safety awareness and professionalism.
According to him, the collaboration is also making impact in the maritime and aviation sectors, with Lagos, regarded as Nigeria’s maritime hub, witnessing stronger safety coordination among stakeholders.
Ogunleye explained that aviation operators are increasingly embracing ISPON certification and membership, stressing that safety remains the backbone of the aviation industry through safe take-off and landing operations.
He added that ISPON is also partnering with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria to train safety practitioners in the manufacturing sector, with ongoing programmes aimed at ensuring that professionals in the industry are properly certified and registered with the institute.
