The Lagos State Safety Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and well-being of students in the state’s Model Colleges, with a new training initiative aimed at improving safety protocols in boarding schools.
The training, tagged Safety Sensitization for House Managers, Food Vendors, and Stakeholders, took place at the Lagos State Model Colleges and was designed to educate key school staff on how to prioritize safety, security, and hygiene within their institutions.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, the Technical Adviser of the commission, Mr. Seun Awojobi, highlighted the importance of ensuring that all Model Colleges in the state comply with safety regulations.
“We understand that the safety of our students is a top priority,” Mr. Awojobi said. “As a responsible government, we are committed to ensuring that schools in Lagos operate in an environment that is safe, secure, and conducive to learning.”
The initiative is part of the state government’s broader efforts to make sure that boarding schools in Lagos State are not only focused on academic excellence but also on the physical and emotional well-being of the students.
During the training, Awojobi pointed out that House Managers and Food Vendors play critical roles in ensuring the safety and security of students in boarding schools. Both groups are responsible for the day-to-day welfare of students, making it essential for them to be well-equipped with the knowledge of safety protocols.
“You are the eyes and ears of the school,” Awojobi said, addressing the participants. “We rely on you to help us identify potential safety risks and prevent accidents from happening.”
He encouraged the participants to share the knowledge and skills they gained with their colleagues and to ensure that the safety practices learned are actively implemented in the schools. “Together, we can create a safe and secure environment for our students to thrive,” Awojobi added.
The training also featured a guest speaker, Dr. Ronke Soyombo, the Special Adviser on Education in Ogun State and former Director-General of the Education Quality Assurance in Lagos. Dr. Soyombo shared her insights on the significance of effective quality service delivery in schools and the importance of emotional intelligence in managing students.
In her speech, she discussed how a positive emotional environment can help students feel secure, allowing them to perform better academically. She also touched on crowd control in the boarding school system, highlighting how important it is for school staff to know how to manage large groups of students, particularly in emergency situations.
“House managers and caregivers must develop good listening skills,” Dr. Soyombo said. “They should be ready to address any challenges students face and provide the necessary solutions.”
Another key focus of the program was food safety and hygiene, which was addressed by Mr. Adeyinka Adebiyi, the Retired Director of Public Safety and Wellbeing at the Lagos Safety Commission. He spoke about the importance of maintaining proper food safety standards, as foodborne illnesses can pose significant health risks to students.
Mr. Adebiyi also discussed the role of food vendors in ensuring that the food provided to students is nutritious, safe, and prepared according to health guidelines.
“We must ensure that food safety standards are strictly adhered to in all our schools,” Adebiyi explained. “This is an essential part of keeping our students healthy and safe.”
The program also featured sessions on fire safety and eemergency response procedures. Engr. Olukotun Odunayo, the Chief Fire Officer of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, delivered a lecture on fire prevention and management. He explained the proper procedures for evacuations during emergencies, the correct use of fire extinguishers, and the importance of having designated assembly points.
In addition, Mrs. Bosede Akanni, a fire safety expert, provided hands-on training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and emergency evacuation techniques. She demonstrated how to perform CPR and highlighted the importance of being prepared for fire-related emergencies.
“Understanding fire safety protocols can save lives,” Mrs. Akanni said. “Proper evacuation procedures, along with the correct use of fire safety equipment, are essential to ensuring the safety of students and staff in the event of a fire.”
The training also provided participants with valuable resources, including training materials, safety signages, and guidelines for implementing safety protocols in their respective schools. These materials are expected to serve as tools for ongoing safety education within the schools.
The participants at the event included house managers, food vendors, and other key stakeholders from various Lagos State Model Colleges. They were all encouraged to actively engage in the process of ensuring student safety and to work together to make their schools safer places for learning.
In addition to the training for boarding schools, the commission has also partnered with other government agencies to address broader safety concerns, including traffic safety and health emergencies.
“We will continue to engage with all stakeholders, from school administrators to food vendors, to ensure that safety is never compromised,” Awojobi stated. “We are committed to making Lagos a safe environment for students to thrive academically and socially.”
