The Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde, on Saturday, said that the state’s vision for emergency management was to move from being reactive to becoming preventive.
The commissioner said this on the sidelines of the ongoing National State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) Conference 2025 holding in Lagos.
Oyerinde said: “We don’t want to continually be in a cycle of emergencies. The next stage is to identify risks early and prevent untold incidents.
“Emergency management must start from the grassroots. It is not about massive resources but about showing capacity and engaging communities from the local level upward.”
The National SEMA Conference, which started on October 2, will end on October 4, 2025.
It is a gathering of emergency management stakeholders from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
These stakeholders are to chart a coordinated framework for disaster preparedness and resilience across Nigeria.
The conference has the theme, “Strengthening Sub-national Emergency Management for a Resilient Nigeria.”
Oyerinde expressed gratitude to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for enabling Lagos to host the landmark event.
“This opportunity to host the National State Emergency Management Conference in Lagos has been an awesome learning experience.
“The second day focused on practical demonstrations of emergency practice, giving other states the chance to learn from Lagos’ model.
“We want to assure residents of our readiness to be preventive rather than reactive.
“We are giving this assurance through Mr. Governor, whose commitment to safety has inspired all of us,” he said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, commended the governor and the political leadership of the state for their unwavering support.
He said: “We give kudos to Mr. Governor for his political will and ownership of the emergency management agenda.
“Special appreciation also goes to the Commissioner for Special Duties for always providing the political umbrella under which we operate.
“Most importantly, I salute our first responders, who work tirelessly, 24 hours a day, often risking their lives to safeguard others.
“Their dedication is the true backbone of our emergency system.”
He stressed that Lagos was not only safeguarding its own citizens but also sharing its knowledge and experience with other states.
“Nigeria can now see Lagos sharing its journey from small beginnings to today’s robust system.
“This is the spirit of collaboration that will strengthen resilience nationwide.”
NAN reports that the Lagos State Government demonstrated practically its search and rescue/recovery operations at the ongoing National State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) Conference 2025.
The maiden national conference brought together emergency stakeholders nationwide to witness firsthand how Lagos has institutionalised best practices in disaster preparedness and response.
The simulation exercise held at the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Relief Centre, Igando, was dedicated to holistic, hands-on emergency drills, ranging from rescue operations to disaster simulations.
The exercise was designed to share lessons with other states and strengthen inter-agency collaboration across Nigeria.
The conference, jointly organised by NEMA and LASEMA, has emphasised grassroots preparedness, risk reduction and proactive strategies as central themes.
It continues to provide a national platform for knowledge exchange, innovation and building a unified approach to emergency management across Nigeria.
