General
How Government Can Avert High-Rise Buildings Disasters
By Dipo Olowookere
One of the recent high-rise buildings disasters that shook the nation was the collapse of a 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos, which was still under construction.
It drew the attention of many Nigerians because it claimed the lives of several persons, including the owner of the property as well as casual workers on the project said to cost billions of Naira.
It was later gathered that one of the reasons for the unfortunate incident was because the owner did not allegedly get approval to construct a 21-storey building as the approval was for a lesser number.
At a 2-day Tall Building Fire Safety Conference in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of Surveillant Fire Limited, Mr Adejola Jumade, advised the government to pay attention to the designs of high-rise buildings.
“When you talk of disaster, the first thing is design. What are the steps we take to ensure that the design we have for tall buildings is tailored toward safety?
“Aside from that, government agencies like Physical and Urban Planning need to ensure that mechanical and electrical designs are looked into critically to ensure that the fire design they have tailored to curtain fire in case of any issue,” he said.
He used the occasion to call for more partnership and collaboration for firefighters in the country to enable optimal performance, stressing the need for more investment in the fire service.
“Honestly speaking, the firefighters are trying their best with the limited capacity and facility they have. The local, state and federal agencies need to work together to ensure that people that need to follow regulations do so. Interagency rivalry needs to stop; we need serious collaboration,” he submitted.
On his part, Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, said that the federal government was working out modalities for an armed escort for firemen on assignment to deter touts and miscreants’ attacks.
“There is the unique challenge of touts and miscreants attacking firemen and their equipment in a fire scene. This is deplorable. We are working out modalities for an armed escort for firemen on assignment to deter these undesirable elements,” the Minister, who was represented by the Acting Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Mr Samson Karebo, disclosed.
He said the government procured DG54 Aerial Platform Fire Fighting Truck with 54 metres height capacity to reach the 18th floor of high-rise buildings, which is “stationed in Lagos where we have the largest concentration of high rise buildings in Nigeria.”
“We are also working with the Nigeria Air Force to be able to deploy planes for aerial fire-bombing of bushfires, high rise buildings or other wildfires requiring aerial attacks. Between 2015 and 2020, the federal government provided 106 modern fire-fighting trucks to the FSS.
“Last year, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) also approved infrastructure upgrade comprising 44 fire-fighting engines, 15 water tankers, 15 rapid intervention fire engines (not conventional ones) that can go into the nooks and crannies to respond to distress calls and 20 basic life support ambulances,” Mr Aregbesola said.
Corroborating his views, the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, appealed to Nigerians to be very conscious of things that can trigger fire outbreaks.
“Endeavour to switch off all electrical gadgets after use. We advise that people should be careful with cooking in the marketplace. Some people will leave their iron on the table without removing it from the socket when electricity come back it can result in a fire outbreak,” she said.
Mrs Adeseye called for more understanding with firefighters, saying it is not acceptable to attack firefighters, “regrettably, in some cases hoodlum use to attack firefighters without putting into consideration the distance they are coming from.”
“To tackle some of these challenges, the state government has commenced the renovation of 16 fire service stations with the construction of additional five fire service stations. This is the first of its kind that I am witnessing in my 25 years in service. This will help us to address the challenges of proximity,” she stated.
General
Lagos Assembly Cautions Obasa Over Speakership Claims
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State House of Assembly has warned its former Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, to stay clear of the position because his impeachment on on January 13 remains sacrosanct.
A statement signed by Mr Ogundipe Olukayode on behalf of the Assembly said it was imperative to clarify that over two-third of the legislative arm of government in the state are solidly behind the new Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Meranda.
The lawmakers said nothing could change the decision taken to remove Mr Obasa, who was in the United States at that time.
On his return last week, Mr Obasa addressed the media and said he remained the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. At the briefing at his residence in the GRA area of Ikeja on Saturday, he challenged any leader in the state to tell Lagosians when and where he told them he wanted to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He also said it was not a sin not to nurse an ambition to lead the state come 2027.
“Having (an) ambition to become a governor is not a sin. Is it, however, I said it on the floor of the house when the budget was presented that I had no thoughts of governorship but that does not mean I am not qualified or that I lack experience and I still maintain that,” he said.
In response, Mr Olukayode said as elected representatives of the people of Lagos, the assembly members owe the public good governance and harmonious relationship with other arms of government.
Mr Obasa had reportedly kept the Lagos State Governor delayed for one hour before the budget presentation to flex his powers.
On his part, Mr Sanwo-Olu said he had no hand in the removal of the Agege lawmaker.
“The position of the house remains the same and nothing has changed. The position being canvassed by former Speaker, Mr Obasa is uncalled for and unparliamentary,” the House statement on Sunday said.
Mr Olukayode further explained that the majority of members elected Mr Obasa as speaker for the 10th Assembly and later took a majority decision to remove him.
The lawmakers’ mouthpiece appealed to the former speaker to toe the line of peace and harmony as being followed by others.
General
JMG Offers Solutions for Greener Environment
JMG Limited, a premier provider of electro-mechanical solutions in Nigeria, joins the world in celebrating this year’s International Day of Clean Energy, which promotes the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
Observed annually on 26th January, the global event was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet.
Marking this year’s event, JMG Limited, a leading company that caters to a wide array of business and industrial requirements, reaffirms its commitment to meeting the needs of its customers through solutions that add value to their operations and the society.
The company’s Group General Manager, Rabi Jammal, stated that commemorating the global day is crucial as it inspires individuals, communities, businesses, and governments to adopt sustainable energy solutions and their attendant economic and social benefits.
He said this helps to foster environment conservation and palliate the crisis with non-renewable fuels, such as gas and oil, which aligns with what JMG’s product offerings enable.
According to him, JMG’s specialised solutions are eco-friendly and can upgrade the places where people work and live. Its slogan, “from power to plug,” emphasises the transformation by highlighting its wide range of clean energy solutions for homes and businesses.
He averred that the company’s products can be used to power structures, cool environments, transport people in buildings, enhance industrial output, and expand its portfolio with products that offer more energy efficiency to help reduce their electricity bills and save on fuel expenses, thereby curbing the issue of emission.
In line with its clean energy initiative, the company prioritises sustainable power solutions, offering solar and cost-effective hybrid options, including Lithion inverters and batteries since 2018 and Livfast inverters & batteries in 2022.
In 2024, the company expanded its solar power offerings with LONGi solar panels, Deye lithium batteries, and Must solar inverters, providing a comprehensive range of alternative power solutions to customers.
JMG Limited has attained significant milestones in its commitment to excellence, environmental responsibility, and occupational health and safety by acquiring three key ISO Certifications, 9001:2015, 14001:2015, and 45001:2018, which attests to its dedication to maintaining high standards in its operations.
General
Olam Agri to Sustain Significant Investments in Workforce, Food Value Chain
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The managing director of Olam Agri in Nigeria, Mr Anil Nair, has assured us that more investments in the company’s workforce will be made for economic growth.
He gave this assurance while reacting to the recognition of the organisation as a Top Employer for the fifth consecutive time by the Top Employers Institute.
“As we celebrate this recognition, we also look to the future. Olam Agri is committed to scaling our HR practices to ensure alignment with global standards.
“We will continue to make significant investments in our people and the food value chain, enriching lives and driving economic growth.
“Our goal is to create an environment where our employees can excel and thrive, and we are dedicated to achieving this.
“Olam Agri’s continued success as a Top Employer reflects its unwavering dedication to fostering growth, well-being, and excellence in its operations,” he stated.
Also commenting, the firm’s Regional Head of Human Resources, Jaideep Biswas, said, “Our people-centric strategy aligns with the dynamic demands of the global talent landscape, embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion at the core of our operations.
“This certification validates our approach, but we’re not stopping here. We remain committed to helping our workforce thrive in a rapidly evolving work environment.”
In the annual HR Best Practices Survey of the Top Employers Institute, Olam Agri in Nigeria was named the Top Employer because of its exceptional workplace culture, innovative HR strategies, and growing appeal to talent locally and globally.
“Consistency in a not-so-consistent world is remarkable. Amidst technological advances, economic shifts, and evolving social landscapes, it’s inspiring to see organisations like Olam Agri rise to the challenge.
“This year’s certification celebrates those who continue to lead with people-first strategies, setting the standard for enriching the world of work,” the chief executive of Top Employers Institute, Mr David Plink, said.
The institute evaluates organisations based on a comprehensive survey covering six key HR domains and 20 topics: People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Wellbeing.
Since 2020, Olam Agri’s operations in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and the Africa region have consistently earned top rankings, solidifying its reputation as an employer of choice.
As a leading agribusiness in food, feed, and fibre, Olam Agri is deeply committed to making a positive impact on its workforce, customers, host communities, and stakeholders.
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