Ronke Kehinde/
The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) has inaugurated its Osun State branch with a clear directive to its newly appointed executive members to engage the government in establishing a fully functional Safety Commission for the state.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Oasis Events and Conference Centre, Osogbo. During his keynote address, Chief Dr. Stephen Udezi, National President of ISPON, called on the Osun State Government to set up a Safety Commission to bolster emergency preparedness and response mechanisms across all local government areas.
“This initiative will enable the implementation of comprehensive emergency systems including fire trucks, ambulances, and trained first responders in every local council,” Udezi said.
He further charged members to prioritize compliance advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and the promotion of clear, enforceable safety policies. Udezi also urged both state and federal governments, particularly under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to embrace proactive safety governance.
He warned that ISPON would soon begin issuing compliance notifications to companies, mandating them to appoint safety officers, with non-compliant organizations facing consequence management measures.
The newly inaugurated executive members of the Osun State branch include:
Chairman: Elder Oyedele Isaac Oyewole
Vice Chairman: Adekanbi Olubunmi Oladunke
Secretary: Bada Bolaji David
Financial Secretary: Olabode Oluwakemi Florence
PRO: Omotoso Abiola Grace
Auditor: Engr. Kola Olusola Oduniyi
Members: Olugbenga Oso, Oladiran Thomas, Manuwar Justus Ademuwagun
In his remarks, Mr. Oyedele Wole, Coordinator of the ISPON Osun State Branch Inauguration Committee, emphasized that occupational safety concerns all workers, including civil servants, artisans, and professionals.
“The first duty of any organization or business is compliance with the law,” he said. “We will continue to encourage the government to create policies on occupational health, safety, and environmental standards. Where there is no law, there can be no enforcement.”
Representing the Executive Governor of Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Special Adviser on Sanitation, Hon. Tunde Balogun, commended ISPON for its timely initiative.
“This is a bold step toward institutionalizing safety standards in Osun State. Under Governor Adeleke’s leadership, we prioritize health, safety, and environmental protection,” Balogun said, while assuring ISPON of the government’s support in awareness campaigns, policy development, and training initiatives.
Other dignitaries in attendance included:
Dr. Oyebade, representing the Commissioner for Health, Osun State Ministry of Health
CC Adeyemi Sokumbi, FRSC Sector Commander, who gave a safety awareness talk on road safety
Mr. Abdulrazaq Oyewopo, representing the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
Mr. Ibrahim, on behalf of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA)
Prof. Femi Ayoade and Mr. Rauf Oladapo, representing Redeemer’s University and Fountain University respectively
Representatives from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), who offered free blood pressure checks to participants
Mrs. Ibironke Ajayi, Fellow of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, FISPN, and Board Representative for the South-West region, was also in attendance with other fellows of the institute from Ibadan branch; Tunde Ogunmuko, Stephen Ogundipe and Oluyemi Olumide.
As part of the event highlights, an award of Safety Ambassador was presented to Engr. Olalekan Badmus, former Commissioner in the State and current Executive Director, Marine and Operations at the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The event concluded with the induction of 17 new members into ISPON. They are: Aderinto Ibrahim, Ajayeoba Abiola Prof, Adenike Adewumi, Gbadamosi Akindeji Ismail, Ibraheem Musibau Adekunle, Abiola Tajudeen Oyetunji, Marvin Monye, Mrs. Gbadamosi Bolanle, Babatunde George Adeniran, Tasleem Adeyemi Hamzat, Isola Roselyn, Muritala Oladayo Akeem, Kenneth Onwuka, Opara Kelechukwu, Odufuye Ijeoma, Fajinmi Oluwayemisi, and Imoh Akumdi.
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