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  • Mar, Sun, 2020
Economy

COVID-19: Nigeria Energy Forum reschedules conference to Sept. 9

Postponement
By Raji Rasak
Lagos, March 22, 2020 (NAN) The organisers of the upcoming 5th Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF) on Sunday said the Forum’s conference had been postponed until Sept. 9 and 10, in the interest of public safety and health.

Mr Adekunle Makinde, the General Co-Chair of NEF 2020 in a statement in Lagos said that the decision was reached after an extensive assessment of the global health and safety situation.

According to him, this is part of the organisers’ commitment to supporting governments and public health professionals in the ongoing efforts at containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Makinde, who is also a former National Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), said that the proposed new date of Sept. 9 and 10 would be the subject of continuous review as the health and safety situations evolve.

He said that any relevant information would be communicated to key stakeholders in the coming weeks.

“The 2020 Nigeria Energy Forum is set to advance sustainable development.

“However, it is equally important for all stakeholders to contribute to putting safety first and playing an active role in reducing public health risks.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those directly affected by the novel coronavirus.

“In the interest of safety, the organisers welcome the public health advice on frequent washing of hands with water and soap and use of sanitisers, amongst other precautionary steps as outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO),” he said. (NAN)
ROR/OSA/AJA
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Adeleye Ajayi

 

 

 

 

 

  • Mar, Wed, 2020
Environment

Fire prevention: Kaduna fire service inspects business premises

Fire
By Ezra Musa
Kaduna, March. 4, 2020 (NAN) The Kaduna State Fire Service says it is undertaking fire prevention inspection to business premises in the state to ensure the safety of lives and property.

Mr Paul Aboi, the  state Director,  Fire Service,  made this known on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

He said the inspection was necessary following  incessant fire outbreaks in the state.

Aboi said the fire service issued inspection notice before  the visits, adding that so far, only 64 business premises were certified to be fire safety compliant within Kaduna metropolis.

According to him, business owners often ignore vital things such as installation of fire safety gadgets, smoke detectors, fire alarms, automatic fire extinguishers, and emergency exit.

“Each business premises should have functional fire extinguisher and all workers should know how to use it,” he explained.

Aboi said places targeted by the service include hotels, restaurants, banks, bakeries, filling stations, supermarkets, industries, gas stations, cinemas, schools, and hospitals, among others.

He advised business owners in the state  to cooperate with fire officers conducting the inspection, to ensure the safety of their businesses and employees.

Aboi warned that the service would sanction anyone who hinders the process.

On the service response to incidents, the director said their  intervention was dependent on how fast the office was notified.

“People should get our emergency numbers and call us during  fire outbreaks. It is safer to call us than drive all the way to the office.

“Our quick response to fire outbreaks issue is dependent on how fast the office is notified,” he said.

On the inferno that affected Freedom Radio, he said the service was not informed on time.

“We got the distress call at 2:40 am and  we arrived in 10 minutes, that was because of the road construction and we had to change route.

“When we got there , the fire had consumed most parts of the building but our investigation showed it was an electrical fault,”  he added. (NAN)
EMZ/CHOM/MZA

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Maharazu Ahmed

Health

WHO set to commemorate 1st World Food Safety Day

WHO set to commemorate 1st World Food Safety Day
By Yashim Katurak
Food
Abuja, May 22, 2019 (NAN) The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the first-ever “World Food Safety Day’’ will be celebrated globally on Friday June 7, to raise awareness on the role of food in sustaining life and promoting good health.
WHO said in a statement on its website on Wednesday that the organisation in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN would every year, facilitate Member States effort to celebrate the day.
It said that the day was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2018 as part of efforts to mainstream food safety in the public agenda and reduce the burden of food borne diseases globally.
According to WHO, food borne diseases impede socioeconomic development by straining healthcare systems and harming national economies, tourism and trade.
“With an estimated 600 million cases of food borne diseases annually, almost one in 10 people in the world fall ill after eating contaminated food; food borne diseases is an increasing threat to human health.
“Children under five years of age carry 40 per cent of the food borne disease burden with 125,000 deaths every year.
“Access to sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food is therefore key to sustaining life and promoting good health.
“Food safety is also key to achieving several UN Sustainable Development Goals and is a shared responsibility between governments, producers and consumers.
“Everybody has a role to play from farm to table to ensure food we consume is safe and will not cause damage to our health,” it stated.
The world health body said the theme for this year’s celebration is “Food Safety, everyone’s business”. (NAN)
KRY/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Nigeria Red Cross to stakeholders: Prioritise safety of workers

Nigeria Red Cross to stakeholders: Prioritise safety of workers

By Talatu Maiwada
Safety
Abuja, April 28, 2018 (NAN) As the world commemorates the 2019 World Safety and Health at work places, the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRS) has called on employers of labour and other key stakeholders to prioritise the safety of workers.

The organisation said it could be achieved by ensuring that the work environment was safe and healthy for workers at all levels.

Mr Nwakpa Nwakpa, Head Communication and Advocacy (NRS), made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

He said that 2019 World Safety and Health at Work has its theme as “Safety and Health at the heart of the future of work’’.

Nwakpa added that the day was commemorated on April 28 annually to ensure that safe and healthy environment for workers was respected at all levels.

He said every year people die as a result of occupational accidents and work related diseases which results in extended absence from work which further has a huge consequence on the economy.

Nwakpa however said it was important to prioritise the safety of workers by ensuring the work environment was safe and by equipping the members of staff with adequate knowledge on First Aid.

“In Nigeria the safety of workers are not taken seriously in some organisations, safety measures are not put in place and the staff are not knowledgeable on first Aid.

“Offices are also not equipped with First Aid boxes, fire extinguishers may be installed but expired, workers are not aware of what to do when accidents occur.

“The World safety at works however signifies things that should be put in place, precautions that should be taken, instruments that should be installed at work places.

“Also trainings that should be given to workers and an enabling environment that would make the work environment free of any hazard or danger,’’ Nwakpa said.

He stressed that the organisation has a mandate to create awareness on safety measures at work environment, train organisations, employers and employees on first aid while ensuring that workers are safe and healthy.

Nwakpa explained that the knowledge of First Aid would equip workers on how to manage bleeding, fracture, burns, suffocation, cardiac arrest, also evacuation during fire outbreak, accidents and flood, among others.

He said the training would equip workers how to provide immediate assistance to any individual suffering from any illness or injury in order to prevent the condition from worsening before they are taken to hospital.

Nwakpa noted that NRS further encourages organisations and employers to install equipment that would mitigate the effect of disasters and risk as well as the need to develop a maintenance culture. (NAN)
TIM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Building collapse: NGO tasks government on safety in schools

Building collapse: NGO tasks government on safety in schools
By Ummul Idris
Safety
Abuja, March 15, 2019 (NAN) An NGO, Plan International Nigeria, has called on the Federal and State Governments as well as stakeholders in education sector to take issues concerning safety in schools more seriously to prevent more tragedies.
Dr Hussaini Abdu, the Country Director, gave the advice on Friday in Abuja, while sympathising with parents of some children who lost their lives in the recent three-storey building that collapsed at Itafaji, Lagos Island.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a children’s school occupied the top floors of the building.
Abdu, however, called on the Lagos State Government to launch an inquiry into the incident and ensure that all persons found culpable for dereliction of duties were punished.
“We commensurate with parents of children who lost their lives in the building collapse in Lagos, which also involved a school.
“We urge governments at all levels, as well as education stakeholders to take it as a signal to further take issues of safety in schools seriously.
“We call on the Lagos state government to launch an inquiry into the incident and ensure that those found culpable in dereliction of duty that resulted to the collapse face the law,’’ he said in a statement.
Abdu also called on governments at all levels and education stakeholders in the country to take urgent steps to prioritise the protection of the Nigerian child.
He called for the immediate implementation of the “Safe School Declaration’’, which Nigeria endorsed in March 2018. (NAN)
UMD/ENN/MST
Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Safety expert advises against carrying heavy load

By Lydia Ngwakwe
Load
Lagos, March 5, 2019 (NAN) The World Safety Organisation (WSO) has advised young people not to carry heavy load in order not to overstrain the ligaments of their neck and joints when they grow old.

The Deputy Director of WSO, Dr Okunola Olusola, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

According to him, those who are able to bear the weightiness, take tramadol as stimulant to protect their bone and spine.

“But they do not know that stimulant does not protect the bone and spine.

“As they age, the degenerative effect of those weight on the bone, spine, ankle, waist begin to obviously come up.

“For the men, their hormone, that is, the testosterone and the estrogen begin to come down showing signs of tiredness and injury from overload.

“Likewise the hormone effect for the women begin to reduce because of menopause.

“All these happen because the bones at every joint had suffered pressures, hence, the manifestation of the wounds.

“For as long as the person grow older and the hormone level drops, so will the pains stay,’’ Olusola said

He said if one must carry heavy loads, it should be in bit or with the help of another person or get a wheel barrow to convey the items.

According to him, there are also techniques for bending down to lift a thing.

He urged people to always ensure their back were erect and not bent whenever they wanted to lift a thing from the ground,  adding that doing so will cause less pains to the spine.

The safety expert therefore urged companies with labourers doing strenuous jobs such as this, to train them on the proper ways to carry heavy load.

He said: “If a man is weighing 70kg, that person has no business carrying a 50kg load because it’s going to put pressure on him.

“By the time he is 50 years, he will be in pains instead of enjoying his old age.

“Likewise, women, as they bend to lift the load and put on their head, the pressure on their neck and the vertebral column now increases.

“When they grow older, they will be needing neck collar to support the neck because the bones are collapsing.” (NAN)
LED/AAB/MST
Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

 

Health

Polls Shift: We expect improved safety, welfare for corps members by INEC – NYSC

Polls Shift: We expect improved safety, welfare for corps members by INEC – NYSC
By Yashim Katurak
NYSC
Abuja, Feb. 19, 2019 (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to keep to its pledge of ensuring the safety and welfare of all corps members deployed as ad hoc staff for the general elections.
Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, the NYSC Director, Press and Public Relations, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said the commission had assured the scheme that adequate arrangements had been made for transportation, accommodation and security for corps members deployed for the exercise.
Adeyemi, however, said that the unpleasant occurrences experienced by corps members on the eve of Feb. 16 were against the MoU signed by both organisations.
“The attention of NYSC management has been drawn to uninspiring pictures and tales of woes experienced by many corps members assigned to INEC duties in several states across the country on the eve of the postponed general elections.
“These have been confirmed as authentic situation reports and have since been brought to the attention of the INEC management.
“While these incidents have been adduced to the logistic challenges which INEC experienced, the NYSC wishes to note that the unpleasant occurrences are totally at variance with the spirit of our MoU with INEC.
“We are therefore, currently engaged in discussion with INEC management towards ensuring that these and all other sundry issues bordering on the welfare and security of corps members are quickly addressed and redressed before the rescheduled elections.
“It will be recalled that in the build up to the participation of corps members as ad-hoc electoral staff, the Director-General of the NYSC, Maj.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure led other members of management on nationwide tour to meet with INEC state officials, heads of security agencies, community and opinion leaders to obtain assurances on the welfare and security of corps members before, during and after the elections.
“In these meetings, NYSC received full assurances on adequate arrangement for transport, accommodation and security, especially at the Registration Area Centres (RACs) throughout the period.
“We therefore expect improved safety and welfare provisions by INEC in the rescheduled elections,” the statement read in part.
She reassured the corps members and the public that the safety, welfare and remuneration for corps members would be provided by INEC as earlier agreed by both organisations.
Adeyemi said that in furtherance to this, INEC has assured the management of the scheme that it has commenced payment of training and feeding allowances to corps members nationwide as well as election duty allowance.
She also assured parents, individuals, groups and other stakeholders that the scheme’s commitment to the welfare of corps members remained unwavering. (NAN)
KRY/KOLE/MST
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Experts advocate safety units, depts in Nigerian hospitals

Experts advocate safety units, depts in Nigerian hospitals
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Safety
Lagos, Oct. 23, 2018 (NAN) The Deputy Director, World Safety Organisation (WSO), Dr Okunola Olusola, has advocated for the creation of safety units and departments in hospitals across the country to protect people from accidents.
Olusola, a Paediatric Neurologist from University of Benin Teaching Hospital, made the call at the first National Conference on Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) and Awards, organised by WSO on Tuesday in Oregun, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was sponsored by hybrid group, LoveWorld Convocation Arena, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) PLC and Julius Berger.
It was supported by INOTECH FOODS, AB-FACTOR Global Concepts Limited and Nigerian Red Cross, among others.
It is themed: “Impact of Global External Influence on HSSE practice in Nigeria’’.
According to him, safety is everywhere, but it is important it is in every health institution where there are lots of risks.
“So I am advocating that every hospital should have a safety unit and department for training and for ensuring that the environment is safe for medical workers and non-medics.
“Once this happens, coupled with the medical knowledge that the hospital may have about what they know about medical safety, the health institutions would be a very safe environment for both patients and the workers.
“Lots of people work in this sector but they may not be safe because accidents can happen just like in the construction companies.
“So anything that can happen in a construction company or in any organisation can happen within a hospital because hospitals have engineering departments, security department and other organisations inside its own complex.
“So hospitals must get on board in terms of safety, not just curative,’’ Olusola said.
The Director-General of Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Hakeem Dickson, said the state government had put in place “patient safety policy’’ to ensure patients were safe anytime they used the hospitals.
“In Lagos, we already have what is called `patient safety policy’ going on at the state hospitals where patients report to the commission about whatever mistakes the doctors or nurses must have done to them whenever they go for medical treatments.
“So the policy is aimed at developing and making sure health workers conform to safety rules and regulations regarding patients’ treatments,’’ Dickson said.
He called on the Health Facility and Accreditation Monitoring Agency (HEFAMA) to sanction any health institution that went against medical ethics.
A Safety Professional and a Pharmacist, Mrs Fayo Williams, said only a legislation would amend the lapses so far observed about safety in health institutions.
“Safety in the health sector is a multifaceted task because we have to start with a policy, having the correct kind of health and safety policy that is suited to each department and institution.
“In the hospital we have the x-ray departments, the laboratories and others; so there must be appropriate health and safety policies in all these departments and in the healthcare institutions in general.
“Afterwards, we need to appoint responsible persons and make proper organisation but with the proper political will and proper legislation with the supports of those who are at the helm of affair.
“Then we can really make some amends in terms of the safety lapses which have been observed,’’ Williams said.
The Managing Consultant of AB-FACTOR Global Concept Limited, Mr Alfred Ajao, expressed optimism that government would sign the Operational Safety and Health bill (OSH) and ensure safety consciousness among Nigerians.
According to him, governments still chase company owners to ensure safety of their workers.
“This should not be; safety should be everybody’s responsibility and that is why we say anywhere you have five people that are working, then there is need for safety policy.
“Either in the health sector, educational institution and banking halls or manufacturing company, safety is important,’’ Ajao said.
The National Coordinator of Safety Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation, Mr Dapo Omolade, expressed joy that safety organisations like WSO was in existence to sensitise people on safety.
“Nigerians should know that health and safety is about their lives.
“So I am very happy that WSO is going all out to educate the people on safety rather than waiting for government to come and punish people for killing people in workplaces.
“This is a challenge for professional members to do more awareness and get people informed about what safety is all about instead of waiting for government to come and clamp down on them,’’ Omolade said.
The President WSO Nigeria, Mr Olalokun Soji, said the organisation would extend safety to the next level to make safety a way of life for Nigerians.
“We have a vision for 2025 that one in every three Nigerians should have a safety and emergency responds readiness, meaning that, they should be able to respond to emergencies and not just to use cameras to record when they occur.
“Also they must have knowledge on how to keep themselves safe even before the emergency occurs,’’ Soji said.
Participants at the conference include health workers, chief executive officers of multinational companies across Nigeria, safety consultants, electrical engineers and students, among others. (NAN)
LED/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Association set to educate Nigerian employees on occupational safety

Association set to educate Nigerian employees on occupational safety
By Talatu Maiwada
Employees
Abuja, Sept. 21, 2018 (NAN) Occupational Safety and Health of Nigeria (OSHA Association), a Non-Profit International Organisation, says it will educate employees of public and private sector organisations on occupational safety, health, security and environment.
Dr Dalhatu Ahmed, the Regional President of the association, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Ahmed said that the association which has a global commitment of promoting safety and saving lives would be organising a workshop on `Practical Steps to Fire Prevention and Control Techniques’.
“The workshop is part of our corporate social responsibility to ensure that employees in the public and private sectors learn new updates to ensure fire preventions at the work place.
“The Association has been certified by Federal Fire Service as an active supporter and partner in promotion of fire prevention in Nigeria and her effort in upholding safety of lives and properties.
“International Labour Organisation (ILO) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has also recognised the roles and achievements of OSHA Association as one of its key stakeholders,’’ he said.
Ahmed added that the workshop is scheduled to hold on Sept. 28, at the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Hall, Federal Secretariat, Abuja, at 9 a.m.
He said that the event would be declared opened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, as good will messages by the Permanent Secretary Service Welfare and other top officials would be taken. (NAN)
TIM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

(Video) NAN News Highlights for Mon., Aug. 20, 2018

1.The National Emergency Management Agency has urged Nigerians to be safety conscious during and after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

 

The Director-General of the  agency, Mr Mustapha Maihajja, who made the plea in Abuja on Monday, advised parents and guardians to be extra-vigilant while keeping watch over their children and wards.

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2.The Nigeria Immigration Service has rescued a 23-year-old girl from human traffickers in Katsina State.

The Comptroller of the service in the state, Mr Ajisafe Olusola, said the victim was rescued by its operatives at Kongolam, a border town with Niger Republic after traffickers took her from her parents on the pretense of securing a job for her abroad.

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3.The National Bureau of Statistics says a total of 509,668,433 transactions valued at N32.90 trillion were recorded in the banking sector during the second quarter.

The bureau stated this in its 2018 second quarter report on “Selected Banking Sector Data: Sectorial Breakdown of Credit, ePayment Channels and Staff Strength released in Abuja.

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4.The Federal Government has announced its recognition of the Amaju Pinnick-led executive as the authentic leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Laolu Akande, Special Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, made the announcement on his official Twitter handle on Monday at 11.38 a.m., few minutes before the 12 p.m. deadline given by FIFA for the resolution of the leadership tussle in the Nigerian football governing body.

It said the government had already informed FIFA of the decision.

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5.Mali’s constitutional court on Monday confirmed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita’s re-election in a run-off ballot, rejecting fraud accusations by the opposition candidateSoumaila Cisse.

The decision clears the way for Keita to be inaugurated next month for a second five-year term, at a time when Malian authorities are contending with rising violence by jihadist groups and ethnic militia.