…as Special Assistant on Emergency Response, Hon. Adebawo Discloses Governor’s Efforts on Safety Enforcement.
The 2025 National Safety Conference, which was held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Tuesday November 4, 2025, concluded on a high note with a strong message of commitment from the Ondo State Government toward building safer workplaces and promoting job creation through effective safety compliance.
Representing the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Emergency Response, Hon. (Prince) Wellington Oriade Adebawo, delivered a goodwill message of the Governor that resonated deeply with stakeholders across industries.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Occupational Safety Compliance: Key to Safer Workplace and Job Creation,” Hon. Adebawo emphasized the centrality of worker safety to sustainable economic growth. He noted that no meaningful development could be achieved in an environment where workers’ health and safety are compromised, stressing that “a safe workforce is a productive workforce.”
He affirmed that the Gov. Aiyedatiwa-led administration is deeply committed to ensuring that every worker in Ondo State operates in a secure and dignified environment. According to him, the state government has continued to integrate safety practices into its development agenda, ensuring that industries, civil service operations, and public infrastructure projects adhere strictly to safety regulations.
Highlighting several ongoing initiatives, Hon. Adebawo disclosed that Ondo State has made remarkable progress in strengthening emergency response systems through the State Emergency Management Agency (ODSEMA) and other institutions. He added that training programmes for first responders, improved stakeholder coordination, and active private sector participation have become pillars of the state’s safety framework.
“Compliance with occupational safety standards is not just about regulation; it is about growth. When industries operate safely, productivity rises, losses reduce, and investor confidence grows. These are the conditions that attract more investments and create jobs, especially for our youth.” The governor’s aide said.
He urged both public and private institutions to view safety not as a financial burden but as a crucial investment in national prosperity. “Just as we invest in roads, schools, and technology, we must invest in the systems that protect those who drive our economy forward,” Hon. Adebawo added. He further called on all stakeholders — from employers and regulators to labour unions and employees — to take shared responsibility for workplace safety.
The Special Assistant described the conference as an opportunity to strengthen national commitment toward safer workplaces and enhanced productivity. He encouraged participants to leverage the forum to exchange ideas, develop collaborative frameworks, and drive innovations that would make Nigerian workplaces global models of safety and efficiency.
He commended the Occupational Safety Society of Nigeria (OSSN) for its dedication to promoting occupational health and safety standards nationwide. He assured the association of the Ondo State Government’s continued support in implementing programmes and policies that safeguard workers and boost economic growth.
The conference, which drew experts, policymakers, and safety professionals from across the country, ended with a renewed call for stronger enforcement of safety laws, improved training for industrial workers, establishment of Ondo State Safety Commission, sustained collaboration between the state government and the private sector.
