Elder Wole Oyedele emerges ISPON coordinator as institute inaugurates Osun branch

The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) inaugurated its branch in Osun State, with a marching order to the newly inaugurated members to reach out to the government and ensure that the state has a functioning Safety Commission.

The newly inaugurated executive members are: Chairman, Elder Oyedele Isaac Oyewole; Vice Chairman, Adekanbi Olubunmi Oladunke; Secretary, Bada Bolaji David; Financial Secretary, Olabode Oluwakemi Florence; PRO, Omotoso Abiola Grace; Auditor, Engr. Kola Olusola Oduniyi; Member, Olugbenga Oso; Member, Oladiran Thomas Olatunji; Member, Manuwar Justus Ademuwagun.

ISPON further urged both state and federal governments, especially President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to prioritise proactive safety governance.

Speaking at the programme held at the Oasis Events and Conference Centre, Osogbo, Chief Dr Stephen L. A. Udezi, National President of ISPON, called on the Osun State Government to establish a Safety Commission, which he said would enable better emergency preparedness across local governments.

He further charged members to focus on compliance advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and encouraging the state to adopt clear safety policies.

“This will empower us to implement emergency structures across local governments, complete with fire trucks, ambulances, and trained responders.”

“ISPON will begin a nationwide revalidation of safety officers and encourage non-members to register enforcement while consequence management will soon follow.

“We will be writing to companies asking them to bring their safety officers for compliance. Very soon, we’ll implement consequence management for defaulters,” he warned.

Also, the Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Sanitation, Hon. Tunde Balogun, called for a sustained safety culture and stronger collaboration between government and safety professionals to prevent avoidable hazards and promote environmental health in the state.

“This is a bold step toward ensuring safety standards are upheld in Osun. Under Governor Ademola Adeleke’s leadership, we prioritise health, safety, and environmental well-being. With this ISPON branch, safety professionals no longer have to travel outside the state for training,” Hon. Balogun stated.

ALSO READ: Osun lawmaker awards scholarships to 1,000 indigent students

He expressed the government’s readiness to support the institute in its awareness campaigns, policy advocacy, and training programmes, stressing that sanitation and safety go hand in hand.

“Let us make safety a way of life, not just a regulation,” he pleaded.

In his address, Mr Oyedele Wole, Coordinator of the ISPON Osun State Branch Inauguration Committee, emphasised that occupational safety applies to everyone, including civil servants, artisans, and office workers.

He added that, “the first duty of any organisation or businesses is compliance with the law, we shall encourage the government to establish policies in areas of occupational health, safety and the environment to drive to educate and drive compliance: if there is no law, there is no sin.”

“Our goal is to promote HSE practices that increase life expectancy, boost GDP, and enhance quality of life. The Osun branch will focus on compliance advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and encouraging the state to adopt clear safety policies”.

“To provide professional HSE training and certification to professionals, student bodies, job seekers, etc. who see a future in the practice of HSE”.

“To collaborate with the government to see how HSE knowledge can be inserted into school curriculums of educational institutions, starting from the primary to tertiary levels.”

“Participating in ILO’s programme on HSE as necessary.”

He added that with ISPON’s presence now in Osun, local professionals will have greater access to training, networking, and professional development opportunities.

The event also witnessed the induction of 17 new members, whose names were given as: Aderinto Ibrahim, Ajayeoba Abiola Prof, Adenike Adewumi, Gbadamosi Akindeji Ismail, Ibraheem Musibau Adekunle, Abiola Tajudeen Oyetunji, Marvin Monye, Mrs Gbadamosi Bolanle, Babatunde George Adeniran, Tasleem Adeyemi Hazat, Isola Roselyn, Muritala Oladayo Akeem, Kenneth Onwuka, Opara Kelechukwu, Odufuye Ijeoma, Fajinmi Oluwayemisi, and Imoh Akumdi.

To crown it all, activities including the swearing-in of the state executives, induction of new members, and award presentations were conducted, while dignitaries and stakeholders from all walks of life — particularly from the South-West — were in attendance.

Mrs Ibironke Ajayi, Fellow of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (FISPN) and board representative for the South-West, was physically present at the occasion.

ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

---