v Pledge Support To Nzekwe
Members of the Imo State chapter of Institute of Safety professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) led by their chairman Dr. Dike Martins Uzoma, on Tuesday September 22, visited the office of the Special Adviser (SA) to the Imo State Governor on Public Safety Rt. Hon. Ugochukwu Nzekwe to congratulate and interface with him on the way forward and on safety issues as they relate to the state.
Members of Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria on a courtesy visit to Hon Ugochukwu Nzekwe, Special Adviser on Public Safety(Middle , wearing black Jacket),in Owerri, recently.
In his address during the visit, the ISPON chairman who congratulated the Special Adviser and expressed appreciation on his merited appointment as S.A on Public Safety by Governor Hope Uzodinma, disclosed that Hon. Ugochukwu Nzekwe,a two time legislator of the Imo State House of Assembly is an industrious technocrat who has all the experience and credential that qualify him to handle public safety in Imo State and described his considerations as a job well deserved.
The chairman who disclosed that a delegation of the institute deemed it necessary and expedient at this time to visit the Special Adviser and have a cross fertilization of ideas with him in order to create and promote sound safety practices. Health and environmental management in order to drive the state to be in tune with global best practice.
He went on to narrate to the host, the genesis and formation of the institute in 1981 which was chartered by the Act of the National Assembly (Act No. 2 LFN 2014 with core mandates of Regulating, Training, Certification and Practices of Health Safety Environment (HSE) Management in Nigeria and that the Institute has branches in fourteen states of the federation with over seven thousand registered professional members.
Dr. Martin Uzoma used the occasion of the visit to the SA office located at Okigwe road off IMSU Junction Owerri to notify him of the institute willingness and readiness to co-operate with government by collaborating through his office to inculcate safety, culture in Imo thus craving the indulgence of the office of the SA to do all he can to protect the Institute from quacks who should be identified and sanctioned.
Going further in his address, Dr. Uzoma said the Government of Imo State should not patronize or have any dealings with such quacks to avoid anything that will infringe on the integrity and reputation of the state. A quack he added is anybody who is not registered with the Institute no matter the level and type of certificate he/she parades. This is the definition as enshrined in Section 14 sub-section (1) and (3), Paragraph 10 of INSPON Act NO 2 of 2014. The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria is the only authorized, and empowered body that determines a Safety practitioner in Nigeria just like COREN, NBA, NMA, NIA.
The Institute wishes to notify you of your nomination for the award of ISPON Safety Icon which will be conferred on you in due time and also decided to facilitate your full membership of the Institute.
It is the desire of the Institute to partner with your honourable office to do all within our capacity to develop and upgrade safety consciousness, awareness and practice in all areas and aspects of human activities in the state. We shall avail our expertise, knowledge and competence to ensure the safety of people, assets and the environment of Imo State through an effective and collaborative effort with your office”, he stated.
Responding to the address, Hon. Ugochukwu Nzekwe expressed willingness to partner with the institute stating that he is mindful of the fact the institute (ISPON) remains the safety regulating body as chartered by the National Assembly.
He pledged to work out modalities to ensure that every Imo person is safe. He lamented the attitude of carelessness exhibited by some motorists who often leave their vehicle doors open which has caused several road accidents that have take so many lives.
He disclosed that in no time the commission’s enforcement unit will bring to book anybody found wanting in this direction.
In his vote of thanks, the Vice Chairman,DR Mgbeahuruike Leonard who is a lecturer at FUTO, thanked the special Adviser for appreciating the importance of the institute of Safety Professionals to his office.
He maintained that safety is key and cost effective. “We must not wait for a disaster to happen before we prevent it. It is good to prevent it”, he concluded.
Highpoint of the visit was presentation of ISPON Constitution and conference materials to Hon Ugochukwu Nzekwe.Thereafter, he was decorated as Safety Ambassador.
Among others who were part if the powerful delegation are;Engr Uzoma Henry, Secretary;Mrs Afagha Regina, Member;Mr Ugwuegbulam Cornelius, Member;Engr Ijeoma Kennedy, Member; Mr Okoroafor Emeka, Member;Comr Nwadike Precious ,Publicity Secretary.
