June 29, (THEWILL) — The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) has applauded the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, for being the first governor to institute safety protocols as state policy, as well as appointing a special adviser on environmental safety.
The National President of the Institute, Engr. Timothy Iwuagwu, expressed this during the institute’s 2025 Annual Safety Conference and Membership Induction, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, over the weekend.
According to him, Governor Umo Eno’s gesture is a demonstration of his commitment to protecting lives and property in the state, adding that the establishment of the Department of Occupational Safety has ensured that safety gaps in the state would be addressed.
Speaking as a keynote speaker in the conference with the theme: Strategic Stakeholders Collaboration for ‘Effective Safety Management, Practice, Compliance and Enforcement’, Iwuagwu noted that by collaborating, risk would be identified comprehensively and more robust mitigation strategies developed, to foster a deeper understanding of potential impact.
While inducting the 20 new members into the body of safety professionals, Iwuagwu cautioned that, as safety ambassadors, members are expected to ensure a safe work environment to avoid injuries or death while looking for survival.
“Remember that as a member of ISPON, you could be sued for damages resulting from carelessness of any kind because there are procedures to be followed in every activity. That is why we subject our members to regular training and retraining to acquire new knowledge”. The national President warned.
Speaking, the state coordinator of ISPON, Mr Ita Benson, commended Governor Umo Eno for approving the employment of 100 safety professionals into the state’s civil service and praised the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, for his efforts in promoting safety culture within government institutions. Benson also called on the government to prioritise the procurement of emergency equipment across all ministries and agencies.
He congratulated all inductees for their dedication and passion for advancing safety standards.
“To the inductees, I offer my warmest congratulations. Your dedication and hard work have paid off significantly, and you should be proud of your achievement. This induction is a crucial step in validating your skills and knowledge in HSE management and practice. I have no doubt you will apply this expertise to make a positive impact in your respective organisations,” Benson said.
In her keynote address, Mrs Jayne Ufot, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Safety and Environment, sated that the state has strengthened environmental and safety monitoring mechanisms, integrated safety standards into infrastructure planning, and prioritized public sensitisation campaigns in both urban and rural communities, recognising the need for collaboration with Stakeholders to achieve more.
“Our goal is to ensure that every government project, private investment, and public activity within Akwa Ibom is guided by a culture of safety, not merely plans for its own sake, but for the protection of life, property, and the environment. I’d like to state here that collaboration is not a choice, but it is a necessity.
“Strategic stakeholder collaboration means aligning policies across ministries, agencies, regulatory bodies, sharing information, tools and ecotypes, joint training of safety personnel, harmonising inspection framework to reduce duplication and confusion.
“And that will save time and save us our energy because we don’t have to keep duplicating the same efforts. Engaging host communities and civil society in proactive risk management. Another thing collaboration builds is trust and ownership.
“This can be seen when stakeholders are actively involved in shaping safety policies, procedures, and training. They develop a sense of ownership. This translates into greater buy-in, improved adherence to safety protocols, and a willingness to proactively identify and address safety issues.
“It transforms safety from a mandate to a shared commitment. For the purpose of this theme, and for the progress of this organisation, I will propose three key pillars as follows. The first three, open communication and transparency.
“But for the want of time, I won’t go into details. The second one is to define clear roles, responsibilities, and mutual accountability. And the third is embedding collaboration in compliance and enforcement”, the SSA maintained.
Ufot, who was one of the inductees pledged the readiness of her team, to get it right and to do it right through collaboration with ISPON, saying that the establishment of her office by the State Government clearly shows its commitment and readiness to practically ensure that safety is considered as an important component of our everyday life, most especially as it concerns all the ARISE projects in the state.
In his remarks, one of the inductees, Dr Ukpong Udo, expressed deep gratitude to ISPON leadership and supporters who contributed to his professional journey.
He pledged to uphold ISPON’s professional standards and contribute actively to its vision, serving as an ambassador for safety within his field and beyond.
“This moment marks not just a personal milestone, but a renewed commitment to the values and responsibilities that ISPON upholds in promoting safety, protecting lives, and driving a culture of excellence in occupational health and safety.
“I look forward to growing, learning, and making impactful contributions through this platform. God bless ISPON. God bless Nigeria”, Ukpong expressed.
The highlight of the Annual Safety Conference and membership Induction was the issuance of certificates to the 20 members inducted.
Among other dignitaries at the event were: the National President, Engr. Timothy Iwuagwu, FISPN, Mrs Jayne Ufot, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Safety and Environment. Prof. Akaniyene Ekong, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Barr. Augustine Udoh, chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Anthony Akadi, Regional Manager, Juuldan Engineering and HSE System Ltd, were keynote Speakers respectively.
