The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi (Adegorushen V), on Saturday September 3, 2016, commended the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC) for carrying out a sensitization programme on the need to prevent fire outbreak and the use of necessary equipment.
The Monarch, who was speaking during the commission’s third quarterly Safety and Health walk organized for the residents of Ikorodu and lock-up shop-owners, urged the people of Ikorodu to be safety conscious and to always engage themselves in physical exercise to stay healthy. Oba Shotobi, while expressing happiness for all those who walked from Ebute Ferry Terminal, the starting point of the road walk said: “I also implore market women and men to buy fire extinguishers and put in their shops because I have it in my palace. Nobody is perfect and we might have slept off when electricity surges would cause fire outbreak. But if we have this fire extinguisher at home, it would help us to prevent such fire. We should make sure that we have the small fire extinguishers in our house because prevention is better than cure.”
While speaking, the Director General of the Commission, Mr. Fuad Oki, represented by the Director of Policy and Regulation, Engr. Liadi, explained that the purpose of the walk was to sensitize Lagosians quarterly on the need for them to ensure safety of their lives and property. It was also to educate them about engaging in physical activities. Such activities, according to him, would boost healthy life style. He said that they were engaging little children in their campaign drive because they usually inform their parents whenever they get any information, and that this idea has been helping the commission.
While stating that previous editions took place in Lagos Island and Surulere respectively, he urged shop owners and other Lagosians to purchase fire items such as fire extinguishers, fire ball, fire blanket, etc. and make them available in their homes and shops to prevent fire outbreak.
Engr. Liadi also disclosed that they would soon set up safety clubs in schools so that students would be involved in canvassing for safety. In his words, “We are trying to get into schools to catch them young and ensure that we introduce safety into their lives,” he said.
A Director in the Deputy Governor’s office, Mr. Taofeed Dosunmu, who also represented her, called on all Lagosians to maintain safe and healthy lifestyle in their localities, urging the people of Ikorodu to continue to support the government in all its activities, policies and in times of challenges. Earlier on, the fire prevention officer from Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Sanwo Lawrence, had enlightened Ikorodu residents and others on the use of fire extinguishers and other fire-fighting equipment. He implored them to endeavour to have at least one of them in their shop and house for fire outbreak or prevention.
Meanwhile, the Iyaloja General, Ikorodu division, Alhaja Taofikat Allison, who was present at the event, advised traders to shun activities that could cause fire-out break and also purchase fire-fighting items, which could assist them in case of fire-outbreak. Also, five out of the six sole Administrators, of LGA and LCDAs in Ikorodu division, who participated in the walk from Ebute through Oriwu Road, Owolowo, to Ayangbure palace, also advised residents to comply with safety tips of the state government and become safety conscious all the time. The Sole Administrators, among whom were, Hon. Gbolahan Ogunleye Ikorodu LGA; Hon. (Chief) Mrs. Bolanle Bashorun, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA; Hon. Segun Anifowose, Ikorodu West LCDA; Hon. Femi Okedeyi, Imota LCDA, and Hon. Emmanuel, Ijede LCDA, urged their followers to put all government infrastructure into good use and engage themselves in physical exercises in order to have good health.
The vote of thanks was rendered by Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mrs. Dosunmu, which was followed by the presentation of recognition award to Oba Shotobi and the Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Idiat Adebule, before a curtain was drawn on the memorable occasion. Dignitaries who graced the event included, State Coordinator, Neighbourhood Watch, Alhaji Musbau K. Sanni; Mr. Tunde Onigbanjo, the Director of Ibile Lagos State Safety Commission; Alhaji Samsedeen Yusuf; Mr. Adebanji, Director, Investigation Enforcement, Lagos State Safety Commission; Alhaji Kola Akinsanya, Safety Ambassador, LSC, among others.