The Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE) has urged Nigerians to prioritise safety practices in their daily activities.
The National Chairman of NISafetyE, Engr. Andrew Abanum, made the call on recently during the investiture of Engr. Spencer Itive.
The event was held at Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta.
Itive is the fourth Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the NISafetyE, an arm of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).
Abanum, in his goodwill message said that embracing safety culture at all time would help build a safer and more secure society.
The theme of the event was: “Engineering Safety for a Secure Nigeria: Empowering Professionals, Ensuring Nationwide Resilience,”.
The guest speaker,
Engr. Jonathan David emphasised the importance of strengthening safety culture and professional collaboration in engineering practice.
David, who is a Director, The Maintenance Institute Africa, said safety engineering was not just an industrial requirement but a national duty.
He said that the responsibility placed on engineers and safety professionals was profound, noting that when we protect lives, we protect Nigeria’s future.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it; in the same spirit, the future safety of Nigeria’s industries will not happen by accident.
“It will be engineered deliberately by the professionals and every life protected by our vigilance strengthens the nation itself,” he said.
The guest speaker, however, said that
safety was the bedrock of engineering, adding that ,achieving it was everyone’s business.
In his acceptance speech, Engr. Itive, pledged to build strong partnerships with industries, government agencies and communities to promote safety awareness and compliance across the state.
Itive said that the safety body would
collaborate with regulatory agencies to ensure adherence to safety standards.
He added that the Institution would initiate community-based safety campaigns through practical training programmes at motor parks, marketplaces, airports and jetties.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of awards to members of the Institution and government officials in recognition of their contributions to safety development and professional excellence.
In attendance were: Prof. Rim-Rukeh Akpofure, former Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE); Prof. Godswill Ofualagba, former Deputy Vice Chancellor of FUPRE; Prof. Gerald Okeke, First Professor of Climate change.
Others were: Chief Winston Egwuatu, Manager, Osubi Airport; Mrs Lovelyn Ejoh, Director, Peacelyn Schools and Engr. Benjamin Esi, Chairman, NSE, Warri branch represented by Engr. (Mrs) Queen Chigbo, Vice Chairman, NSE, Warri branch and among others.