Understanding the need to improve the Capacity of Public servants, The Federal Government recently collaborated with the Occupational Safety and Health Association – Nigeria region to train and develop the capacity of some of its officers on Health, Safety and Environmental best practices in workplaces.
This collaboration is the FG intervention towards improving the welfare of civil servants in terms of occupational safety and health in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Recall that the FG recently released a circular to MDAs mandating them to establish OSH desk offices and also deploy desk officers to man the desk. According to the circular, these officers would undergo training to get them equipped with the fundamental knowledge to understand the roles they ought to play in their organisations.
Premiering this mandate, officers from the Office of the Head of civil service of the Federation underwent a three (3) days intensive Professional Training and Certification on Health, Safety and Environment (HSE level 1,2 & 3- Supervisor Course) conducted by the training department of OSHAssociation.
Charging the officers, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Folasade Yemi-Esan, noted that the training is a power step premiering the circular that will bring a revamp to the welfare and working operations of public servants in the country.
Represented by the Director, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department, Dr Comfort Adeosun, The HOCSF called on the Officers to take the training serious as all knowledge gained will trickle down towards ensuring safety and best practices in their workplaces as well as their homes. According to her, safety was becoming an emergency issue hence all hands must come on deck to revamp the public sector and ensure that public servants are safe when they carry out their respective duties.
Declaring the event open, The Region President of OSHAssociation –Nigeria Region HRH, Dr, Amb. Olusegun Aderemi FOSHA appreciated the Office of the HOSCF for finding in the Association a competent and professional training institution to be the driver of this mega project.
Represented by the Chairman Council of Fellows, Dr Dalhatu Moohammed FOSHA declared the willingness of the Association to utilize its training centres across the country to train and improve the capacity of public servants across all sectors of the economy.
“Safety is our life, and we are ever ready to deploy our network to see that Safety is being localized extensively in the country,” he said.
The public servants were trained in several courses including Workplace Health and Safety, Fire safety and prevention, and Foundation in Occupational Safety and Health among others.
OSHAssociation remains resolute to stunting fatalities, accidents and incidents in the country and will continue to deploy any means possible including advocacy campaigns, workshops, and training amongst others to bring a revamp as far as OSH best practices are concerned in the country.