A sensitization programme on Human Trafficking, Migrant Smuggling and ‘Japa Syndrome’ with the theme ‘Partnership for Protection: Safeguarding Public Servants Against Trafficking and Unsafe Migration’ was held in Lagos, organized by the State Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations in partnership with federal government agencies on Wednesday.

The Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, said in his address that the programme was put together to educate and enlighten the people of Lagos State, most especially public servants on the ‘despicable act’ of human trafficking.’

The commissioner described human trafficking as “a form of modern day slavery which involves the illegal recruitment and transportation of individuals through force, putting them to work and benefitting from their service.”

He described as erroneous the belief by many Nigerians that travelling out of the country is the only way for them to succeed in life, adding that traffickers are using all sorts of methods to recruit victims for the purpose of exploitation.

“Human trafficking as we know is usually for specific purposes like labour and sexual exploitation, while also exploiting people who want to leave the country to escape poverty, conflict, crises or just want a better life.

”The JAPA syndrome has also become a popular slang which represents the mass movement of our people seeking opportunities abroad due to several factors, mainly the belief of better economic opportunities,” he said.

Oyerinde urged public servants and youths to believe in the potentials of the state and Nigeria rather than using unconventional means to travel out of the country.

“Dear public servants of Lagos State, I wish to use this opportunity to appeal to you all, to remain positive and believe in the potentials of our state and the nation at large. I also wish to add that you make the best use of every opportunity available towards actualizing your dreams.

“The message to end human trafficking must be heard, loud and clear. We must all be involved in the campaign to desist from human trafficking and illegal migration. Proper channels have to be followed in the course of migration.”

He reminded Nigerians that every country has its peculiar challenges but expressed confidence that with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government, a strong and virile nation can be built.

He also commended federal agencies such as Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS; Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM; National Agency for Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP; National Orientation Agency, NOA, for partnering with the state to stem the tide of human trafficking and illegal migration.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri, said human trafficking was not only a local problem but an issue that had assumed a global dimension which no longer put the poor and uneducated at risk but also civil servants and high-performing youths.

Dabiri further said traffickers capitalized on desperation by individuals to exploit them.

She attributed the surge in migration to economic challenges, adding that people were promised non-existent employment while some had been issued fake certificates of employment after parting with millions of naira.

“There is a need to carry out due diligence and study laws of the country of your destinations if you must migrate regularly. Lagos has taken this initiative and I assure you that at the federal level, we stand ready for deeper collaboration, tighter policy protection, and stronger Intergovernmental cooperation. We must make Nigeria not just a country people love but a country people are not forced to escape from,” Dabiri said.

Dabiri noted that President Bola Tinubu was doing all to provide jobs for the youths.

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Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in preventing fire incidents, stating that preparedness was not just the responsibility of the government.

He explained that the initiative was designed to educate traders, transport operators, and market leaders on preventive measures, emergency response strategies, and the safe use of electrical appliances and other fire-prone materials.

“By bringing this campaign directly to areas of high vulnerability, the ministry aims to reduce risks, protect livelihoods, and safeguard lives and property,” he stated.

According to him, the first phase of the programme will feature a roadshow and sensitization exercises across markets and motor parks in Ketu, Agege, Ile-Epo, Iyana Ipaja, Ipodo, Arena – Oshodi markets, with the goal of raising awareness and promoting fire safety practices.

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Mr. Oyerinde called for cooperation among market leaders, men, and women to prioritize safety and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to fire outbreaks.

The Permanent Secretary, Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Sesan Ogundeko, commended the market leadership for their coordinated efforts and assured that the Office would continue to promote safety practices across all markets in the state.

He assured that the government remained committed to making Lagos State a safe, secure, and resilient place for everyone, stating that initiative was part of the strategic effort to reduce the risk of future fire disasters and protect lives and livelihoods.

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Sanwo-Olu spoke on Tuesday at the Lagos State International Fire Safety Conference 2.0 in Victoria Island, with the theme, “Leveraging Technology and Community Engagement to Prevent Fire.”

The governor disclosed that Lagos lost property worth N19.52 billion to fire incidents in 2024.

The conference, organised by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LSFRS, served as a platform for stakeholders to explore strategies for fire prevention and improved emergency response.

The governor said the state was adopting innovations such as the “Safety on the Move” initiative to address frequent tanker fires, while intensifying public sensitisation through market, school, factory, and residential visits.

“Our goal is to ensure every Lagos resident knows how to spot potential fire hazards, prevent fires, stay safe, and help others,” he said, urging the public to be alert to early signs of fire risks.

Sanwo-Olu commended LSFRS for responding to over 2,500 distress calls in 2023 and urged stakeholders to strengthen the Incident Command System, improve emergency response, and explore modern firefighting technologies.

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He further advised prioritising fire detection, protection, and suppression systems alongside conventional equipment to control outbreaks at the earliest stage.

Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr Olugbenga Oyerinde, reiterated the state government’s commitment to leveraging technology and community engagement to curb fire disasters.

“There is a need to rejig our strategies because of the frequent recurrence of fire incidents. We remain unwavering in our commitment to achieving zero fire incidents,” he said.

“Protecting our communities from fire outbreaks is a collective responsibility that we are all dedicated to.”

Earlier, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, the Director, LSFRS, recounting the statistics of the number of fire incidents in the state, said property worth N117.12 billion were saved by the agency from fire in 2024.

She disclosed that the estimated property lost was N19.52 billion.

Adeseye said victims rescued alive were 450, while 91 were rescued dead.

“The agency issued 7,039 compliance certificates and visited 7,870 commercial companies to ascertain their compliance level with fire safety code.

“However, 831 did not comply with fire safety code.

“In 2023, 2,573 fire incidents were recorded but in the year 2024, we had a sharp drop of 1,952,” she said.

According to Adeseye, fire safety is not just about equipment but about the people.

“We fight not to fight the fire but life and future. Fire safety is not securing equipment but about the people.”

Source: NAN

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The campaign, spearheaded by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations under Hon. Gbenga Oyerinde, is part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, which prioritizes the safety and well-being of Lagosians across all spheres of life.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the programme held at Senior Comprehensive High School, Alapere, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Tobi Oladepo, emphasized the importance of instilling safety consciousness in the younger generation.

“Safety is a collective responsibility, and this is why we decided to start from the foundation, our schools,” Oladepo said, adding that “We must catch them young and build a generation that is security- and safety-aware in homes, schools, markets, churches, and everywhere in our communities.”

The SASA programme brought together key safety stakeholders for a practical and interactive learning experience.

These included Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, which led live fire drill demonstrations; the Nigerian Red Cross, which trained students on CPR and first aid and Lagos State Safety Commission, which taught pupils how to identify workplace and environmental hazards.

The Nigeria Police was also in hand to give talks on personal security, vigilance, and how to safely engage law enforcement.

Further, Oladepo said by September, a 60-day online awareness campaign would kick off, aimed at engaging young people through social media platforms where they are most active.

He stressed that the digital campaign would provide practical tips on personal and community safety, cyber vigilance, emergency contact information, and more.

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“We want every child, every household, to know how to respond in emergencies and how to prevent them. Whether it’s cultism, fire, accidents, or threats—they should be alert and responsive,” said a programme official.

Seun Awojobi, Technical Adviser to the Lagos State Safety Commission, said the programme was not only about response, but prevention.

“Schools are workplaces too. If pupils can recognize a potential hazard, they can prevent accidents before they happen,” he explained.

“And when they take that knowledge home, they make their communities safer,” he added.

Awojobi added that the initiative was an offshoot of the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative, which Lagos State had fully adopted.

He said it was aimed at ensuring that pupils across both public and private schools went to school and return home safely, free from violence, hazards, or preventable emergencies.

Organisers revealed that the SASA campaign would soon expand to cover all three senatorial districts in the state namely, Lagos East, West, and Central, with the next phases targeting a broader range of schools and communities.

Also speaking at the event, Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, made a strong appeal for citizens to take personal responsibility for their own safety and preparedness, beginning with the simple but critical tool of owning a fire extinguisher.

“Emergencies happen fast. Every house should have a fire extinguisher and learn how to use it,” Hundeyin stated, adding that “Safety is not just the government’s duty—it starts with you and I.”

He stressed that the trust gap between citizens and security agencies was narrowing, thanks to increased advocacy and direct engagement.

He encouraged young people to report threats and security concerns using the police’s multiple channels, especially social media platforms and emergency numbers.

“When we engage the community and act rightly, people trust us more. That’s why we’re here, not just to talk, but to build confidence,” Hundeyin added.

At a time when Nigeria continues to face challenges related to school-based violence, arson, and kidnapping threats, experts say Lagos’s proactive approach could serve as a model for other states.

By combining top-down government policies with bottom-up grassroots education and awareness, Lagos is taking significant steps toward building a resilient, safety-conscious society, starting with its most valuable asset: its children.

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Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, made the call at a press conference on Sunday in Lagos.

He said it was important to warn event planners against stampede.

Stampedes recently claimed lives and injured others  in Ibadan,  Abuja and at Okija in Anambra State.

Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had, on Saturday, in a statement  by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile,  sympathised with families that lost  loved ones to the stampedes.

“The department of health and social services has partnered with  safety agencies, and are working to have control measures, but the most important thing is that individuals who want to have large-crowd events must register with the safety commission.

“There are laws in Lagos that say how to go about such things.

“This is why the government, apart from the fact that we are telling individuals to be safety conscious at this time, we are also telling people who may want to do charity, that any act of charity should not claim lives of people.

“Most people say it is because of poverty, but I know that it is just one side of the story.

“The other side of the story is that it is in human nature that wherever freebies are being distributed, people will go,” Omotosho said.

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Mr Gbenga Oyerinde, the state Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, said that Lagos had a four-year record of no stampede.

He said that the state was determined to maintain the record.

“We have not recorded any stampede in the last four years, and we intend to keep it that way.

“No freebies is worth the lives of Lagosians, Governor Sanwo-Olu values the lives of the state residents.

“We have toll-free lines to report cases of emergency. They are 767 and 112.

“We have the equipment and human resource to ensure we all have a great festive season,” he said.

Mrs Margaret Adeseye, the Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, called on Lagos residents to be safety conscious.

“Harmattan does not cause fire, people’s carelessness is to blame.

“Don’t store fireworks, don’t sell fuel in the markets, keep your gas cylinders far away from your cookers,” she said.

Lagos State recorded 1,749 fire incidents in 2024.

Mr Lanre Mojola, the Director-General, Lagos Safety Commission, said that organisers of events which would attract up to 250 participants should get a permit.

“For any gathering above 250, organisers are expected to register at https://www.lasgsafetyreg.com.

“We will assess the venue to make sure it is conducive.

“Also, there should be security and an ambulance on standby. It is better to be prepared than to be sorry,” he said.

Source: NAN

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Dangote Group was recognised under the Visible Impact Award for Resilience & Entrepreneurship; Dangote Cement won the Sectoral Excellence Award in the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products category, while the 650,000bpd capacity world’s largest single train refinery, Dangote Refinery won the Groundbreaking Investment award.

Basking in the euphoria of the recognitions, Dangote Industries Limited’s Vice-President, Oil and Gas, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, who was on ground to receive the awards described them as reflecting the values of Dangote Group and its subsidiaries as top employers of labour showing resilience in the face of tough business operating environment.

He said the award would only spur the management of Dangote to continue in the trajectory of the fine best global best practices in business with more investments in the task of rejuvenating the nation’s economy.

In the same vein, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and her counterpart in Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), were recipients of the “Visible Impact in Public Service Award.”

This year’s awards, dubbed “Defying the odds”, NECA said, was geared towards promoting and encouraging best practices in Corporate Performance, People Management and Industrial Relations practices amongst employers in Nigeria.

That, it explained, was in a bid to celebrate outstanding contributions of enterprise to national development, noting that the award provided a platform for celebrating the resilience, doggedness and outstanding performance of employers in Nigeria.

In his welcome address, President of NECA, Dr. Ifeanyi Eric Okoye, noted that the award ceremony was to celebrate the excellence, resilience, innovation and unwavering commitment demonstrated by businesses across the various sectors of the Nigerian economy in 2024.

He said the Awards’ theme, “Defying the Odds,” reflected the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian enterprises that had consistently risen to the challenges posed by the dynamic and demanding local and global economic landscape.

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Said he, “This annual ceremony is a testament to remarkable progress made by organisations that share our vision of a thriving private sector as the bedrock of national development. Over the years, the NECA’s Excellence Award has become a hallmark of prestige highlighting organisations that exemplify best practices in corporate governance, industrial relations and environmental sustainability.

“Our honours tonight do not only serve as a beacon of hope, and a reminder that in the face of adversities excellence is achievable, it is also an opportunity to increase visibility by highlighting their achievements and innovations to a wider audience.

“As we celebrate tonight, let us not only celebrate the achievements of the award recipients; let also celebrate all businesses here present and those that have left in the past few years and recommit ourselves to fostering innovation, inclusivity and resilience in all that we do. Together we can build a future where Nigerian enterprises thrive as global leaders.”

Also speaking, the Director General of NECA, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, explained that the awards were a statement that, irrespective of the challenges the private sector employers have been facing “since January till now, there is time for all of us to sit down and just breathe and celebrate the resilience, doggedness, innovations your businesses were able to bring on-board and their contributions to national development.”

Oyerinde stated further: “So, we are gathered this evening to celebrate your businesses, contribution and support to NECA. We have broken away from the traditional issues of labour and employment that you know us with and are now dealing with all fundamental issues that affect your businesses either now or in the future like Environmental, Social and Governance in sustainability issues.

“We are also deepening our collaboration with CIPE moving into the realms of ethics with emphasis on doing business correctly. We are also deepening our engagements with the International Labour Organisation, ILO, in the context of responsible business conduct for our members to operate responsibly within the context of the law.

“This strengthens our hands to advocate against unfavourable business regulations that see businesses as cash cows rather than agents of national development.”

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Head of Service, Lagos State, Mr. Shuaheeb Agoro, commended NECA for its remarkable legacy of championing enterprise, competitiveness, responsible business practices and industrial harmony describing the award as another remarkable way of motivating employers in the private sector.

Sanwo-Olu said, “This year’s theme could not to be more apt as it speaks to the determination that Nigerian employers have continued to demonstrate in overcoming challenges to sustain businesses, create jobs and drive national development. This resilience is a reflection of enduring entrepreneurial spirit that defines our great nation.”

The governor pointed out that the award inspired the culture of best practices in corporate governance, industrial relations, environmental sustainability and responsible business conduct.

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The governor spoke at the opening of new fire stations at Ijegun-Egba and Ijede, Ikorodu.

The governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, at the Ijede commissioning, while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sesan Tunde Ogundeko, represented him at the Ijegun-Egba commissioning.

In his address, the governor said the two new stations at Ijegun-Egba and Ijede, Ikorodu, were sited where they were needed most, adding that they had been equipped to handle domestic fires, industrial accidents, and any other emergencies that might occur.

“But this is more than just a building, it’s a lifeline. It’s here to save lives, reduce response times, and ensure our first responders can reach those in need as swiftly as possible,” the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu said the stations were part of the government’s developmental agenda.

He said Lagos had been ranked 19th best city in the world due to its rapid infrastructural development and called on private sectors to collaborate with the government in protecting the lives of Lagosians.

The governor expressed confidence in the ability of the ‘courageous firefighters, adding that ‘we are confident in your ability to protect and serve our people even more effectively.’

Governor Sanwo-Olu assured the people that his administration was committed to prioritising their safety and urged the residents of Ijegun and surrounding areas to see the station ‘as a community asset, a lifeline in times of crisis, and an assurance that we are here to serve and protect.’

The Commissioner for Special Duties, Gbenga Oyerinde, in his speech noted that with the population of Lagos growing, there was need for effective emergency response infrastructure especially in cases of fire incidents.

He added that the new fire station was a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to the safety of Lagosians.

“This administration has overhauled our emergency mechanisms. This new station is equipped with firefighting equipment, advanced fire fighting engines, a brand new vehicle and highly trained personnel,” the commissioner said.

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He further said that the choice of Ijede for the station was strategic as it would help in prompt response to incidents in nearby communities.

The commissioner said in the last one year, 2,500 fire incidents were attended to in Lagos by the Lagos State Fire Service, adding that the new station was a sign of dedication by the government to ‘deliver a more resilient Lagos State to all.’

He however urged the people to be security conscious by avoiding situations that could lead to fire incidents.

“Public safety is a shared responsibility. I urge the community to remain vigilant and proactive to avoid fire incidents.

The Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, noted that Lagos State faces significant challenges in safely guiding its people because of its large population and therefore the state requires robust management.

She said the delay in completing the station since its construction was approved on July 29, 2021 was due to financial constraints but expressed delight that it had come to reality.

A renowned monarch in Ijede Local Council Area, the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom, Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo, said the community had anticipated the construction of the station and thanked the governor for making it a reality.

He urged the people to support the government in maintaining the station.

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Mr Etim Okon, the vice president of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, gave the confirmation in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Monday in Abuja.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the TUC had walked out of the negotiation meeting as the Federal Government proposed N48,000 as new minimum wage for workers in the country.

“The proposal falls significantly short of meeting our needs and aspirations,” the unions said.

Labour also accused the government of failure to provide any substantiated data to support their offer, which situation and lack of transparency and good faith undermines the credibility of the negotiation process.

“The federal government has apologised and the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday and we are going to appear and present our demand.

“We will still be presenting the N615,000. It is what we presented before we walked out, though our submission was not rejected by the government.

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“We only rejected the N48,000 that government presented. Because they did not show us how they arrived at that amount.

“That is taking cognizance of transportation, housing, food, utilities, health, education among others which are basic needs of the people.

So, government should come out clearly with what they are offering with the indices and variables and also how they arrived at that. This is all we are saying,” he said.

Also, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, told NAN that he hoped that the Tuesday meeting on the Tripartite Committee would be a success.

Oyerinde said that the federal government had prevailed over what happened at the last meeting as labour had walked out of the negotiation process.

“I am happy the government had prevailed on the issue and they would be coming back to the table for the actual negotiations.

“Everybody figure is valid, Labour N615,000 proposal is valid to the extent of labour reality, government N48,000 is valid to their reality. The private sector’s N54,000 is also valid to the present day reality.

“Like I said, we have moved back to the negotiation table properly, and we would look at alignment of positions. There will a lot of give and take.

“Also there will be a consensus on what the National Minimum Wage will be and the committee will then make a recommendation to Mr President,” he said.

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NECA’s president, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

The position of Director-General became vacant following the demise of Dr Timothy Olawale, in September, 2021.

Adeniyi said that Oyerinde was expected to build on the legacies of professionalism and excellent service that the association was known for, and take it to greater heights.

He said that Oyerinde was the Deputy-Director and Head of Membership Services of the association.

Oyerinde joined NECA in 2010, and has worked in various capacities in the Social, Economic and Labour Affairs Department and also the Learning and Development Department of the Association.

He has over 16 years’ experience in Industrial and Human Resources (HR), Business Development, Stakeholders Management and key areas of Employers’ Federation/Business Membership Organisation Management.

Oyerinde, according to the statement, is an HR thought-leader and International Labour Organisation (ILO) trained Master Trainer

He is also a United Nations Industrial Development Organisation-trained ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System), ISO 1400:2015 Lead Auditor.

Oyerinde holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from the University of Lagos.

He is an alumnus of the International Training Centre of the ILO and full member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management among others.

Source: NAN

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