Reiterates Commitment to Preventing Drowning
Urges lifeguards to have Operational Permit
The Lagos State Safety Commission in conjunction with Global Sports Exclusive Promotions host administrators of recreational facilities across Lagos State in a meeting held at Waves Beach, Elegushi, Lagos.
The Stakeholders Sensitization meeting was held today 21st of May, 2024 give the organizers an opportunity to discussed important issues surrounding water safety with all the beach houses and swimming pool facilities operators, their duties and responsibilities, as well as measures to prevent drowning to the barest minimum, among other life saving techniques.
In the address of the Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, emphasized on the collective responsibility of promoting water safety and the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure safety across the state.
In his words, “Water Safety is a collective responsibility of everyone and the Lagos State Safety Commission will continue to restrategizes and engage in more advocacy programmes towards achieving a zero drowning in Lagos State”.
The Director General highlighted the commission’s is organizing more school safety programmes, continous collaboration with water safety stakeholders, sensitization, and advocacy.
He also stressed the importance of operational permit for lifeguards and it will help lifeguard to work effectively in Lagos State and concluded his speech by informing swimming facilities operators on the need to have a professional certified lifeguards around their swimming facilities.
In the same vein, the initiator of this initiative, who also serves as a Governing Board Member at the Lagos State Sports Commission, Hon. Olarenwaju M. Saidi, in his opening remarks noted that the essence of meeting with stakeholders in the aquatic industry is to address the occurrence of drowning incidents which must be adequately monitored and prevented in Lagos State.
Hon. Olarenwaju emphasized the importance of having certified lifeguards in all communities where jetties were operating across Lagos State. Furthermore, he announced upcoming practical training for lifeguards next month in commemoration of this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day, as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), every July 25th.
Speaking at the meeting, the representative of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Ibrahim, urged stakeholders in the aquatic industry to take water safety seriously and reiterated the central focus of the Authority on people’s wellness on water.
He also emphasised the need for all management of beach houses and swimming pools to put all hands on deck to ensure effective water safety delivery in Lagos State.
Also speaking at the meeting was a swimming coach, Mr Abiodun Ojomo, raised concerns about the lack of certified lifeguards that could save the victims of water accidents. He suggested that Lagos State Safety Commission should provide more monitoring boats team on the water with lifeguards to monitor water activities.
While explaining the causes of drowning, Coach Kolawole Ogunsemore made it known that lack of data on all the jetty operators and lack of proper awareness are factors contributing to this cause. He advocated that the State Government should ensure all lifeguards are certified and organized continuous training and retraining, and recruiting professional swimmers to become certified lifeguards is a very necessary course.
Coach Steve explained that drowning is not limited to beaches, pools, and rivers. It also occurred in bathtubs and went on to called for more awareness and sensitization on drowning, among others.
The Stakeholders sensitization meeting witnessed the presence of administrators of various beach houses and swimming pools facilities, as well as representatives from Private Swimming Coaches Association Lagos (PSCAL), Ocean 28 Swimming Academy, Dolphin Swimming School, Titan Seal Community, Lagos State Waterways Authority, and many more who served as part of the audience, and they were allowed to ask questions and expressed their views accordingly.
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