It was another epoch-making event for OSHAssociaion UK- Nigeria Region and the Nigerian Navy at the Fellowship Investiture Ceremony of the Vice Admiral, AZ Gambo the Chief of Naval Staff and other Senior Naval Officers under his administration who were conferred Fellows of the Association at the conference hall of the Naval headquarters in Abuja recently.
The event started with a welcome remark by the Chief of Naval Safety and Standards (CNASS) Rear Admiral AN Ayafa, who appreciated the effort of the Chief of Naval Staff, for bringing them onboard to boost their safety skills and knowledge as decision-makers in their various branches and operations in the Nigerian Navy.
The Regional President, Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHAssocitaion UK)- Nigeria Region HRH Dr Amb. Olusegun Aderemi JP made his investiture speech stating the need and importance of safety within the leadership cadre. He stated the need for everyone to ensure that safety is integrated into decision making within the public and private sectors, further congratulated the Chief of Naval Staff and appreciated his commitment to safety. “OSHAssociation as one of the leading professional recognised safety institutions locally and internationally is very much ready to work closely with the Nigerian Navy to ensure maximum safety compliance in naval operations”, the Regional President Said.
Thereafter Prof. Rabiu Magaji, a distinguished Fellow of the Association and the Chairman, OSHA National Safety Advocacy Project led the new Fellows through the membership oath, followed by decoration and presentation of Fellow Membership certificates and plaques to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo and other Senior Naval Officers of the Nigerian Navy in the country.
The OSHAssociation Nigeria Regional Administrator, Emmanuel Uwalaka stated that safety is a serious business that has to do with lives and deaths, therefore building the safety consciousness of our leaders and members to lead in their various professions in achieving zero fatalities at workplaces is paramount to the Association.
The Chief of Naval Staff during his remark noted that the Nigerian Navy was the foremost Maritime Organisation in Nigeria that adheres to a very high degree of safety standard measures. He expressed delight and happiness that he and his colleagues were admitted into the membership of OSHAssociation and further noted that the Association have been making giant strides for over a decade of its operations in Nigeria.
Vice Admiral AZ Gambo highlighted the importance of occupational safety and health as a strategy to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the maritime environment; he further advised that these strategies must come to play as the Nigerian Navy begin to implement the ‘FALCON EYE’ Project, commissioned by the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces President Muhamadu Buhari to ensure Maritime Safety in Nigeria and seek the cooperation of OSHA Association towards achieving the mandate in the service.
Following the mission of OSHAssociation in Nigeria to ensure a proactive safety management system, the Association hopes to use the investiture ceremony of the Chief of Naval Staff and his senior officers at the naval headquarters as a springboard to encourage others within the Military to embrace proactive collaboration and synergy. OSHAssociation Nigeria region is looking forward to having more proactive partnerships with all stakeholders and concerned public and private sector organisations in Nigeria.
For more information, visit www.nigeria.oshassociation.org or email: nigeria@oshassociation.org
*Media Unit*