The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has declared a renewed push for workplace safety across the scheme, charging designated officers to prioritise hazard prevention, environmental protection and emergency preparedness in all formations nationwide.
Nafiu said a safe and healthy working environment was fundamental to protecting lives, safeguarding government property and improving the efficiency of the scheme’s operations.
The NYSC DG represented by the the Director Human Resources, Alhaji Nura Umar gave the charge while declaring open the maiden edition of the scheme’s Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE) Schedule Officers Workshop, with the theme, “Preventing Workplace Hazards and Creating a Safe Environment in All NYSC Formations.”
He noted that the scheme’s extensive nationwide operations, covering national and zonal offices, state secretariats, area offices, local government offices, orientation camps, ventures and other facilities, made a coordinated approach to workplace safety imperative.
According to him, the responsibility of occupational health, safety and environment officers goes beyond responding to accidents, requiring them to identify potential dangers, assess risks, prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, and ensure compliance with relevant safety standards.
He urged the officers to promote a proactive safety culture through regular workplace inspections, comprehensive risk assessments, proper maintenance of facilities and safety equipment, fire drills, first-aid preparedness and effective emergency response mechanisms.
The Director-General stressed that preventing workplace accidents required deliberate planning, continuous awareness and the commitment of every member of the NYSC community.
He charged participants to apply the knowledge acquired during the workshop to achieve practical and measurable improvements in their respective formations.
Specifically, Nafiu directed the officers to identify and document potential hazards, recommend appropriate corrective measures and ensure that necessary actions were implemented to eliminate or minimise risks.
He also called for sustained safety awareness among staff, corps members and other stakeholders, emphasising that protecting lives and property must remain a collective responsibility.
The NYSC chief further urged each participant to return to their duty post with a clear action plan, realistic priorities and renewed commitment to making offices, orientation camps and other facilities safer and healthier.
He said the quality of resource persons assembled for the workshop reflected the scheme’s commitment to professional development, evidence-based practices and collaboration with relevant agencies.
Nafiu particularly acknowledged Dr. Musa Shaibu, Group Medical Director of NISA Premier Hospital, for his expertise in medical services and occupational health and safety.
He also appreciated Mrs. Victoria Effiong, representing the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), whose experience in environmental standards, pollution control and regulatory compliance was expected to provide valuable insights into environmental management.
The Director-General encouraged participants to engage actively with the facilitators, ask questions and share practical experiences that could help address workplace safety challenges across the scheme.
Describing the maiden workshop as an important milestone in strengthening occupational health, safety and environmental management within the NYSC, Nafiu urged officers to embrace prevention, preparedness and personal responsibility.
He captured the importance of individual commitment to safety in a guiding principle: “It will not happen to me because I am prepared, and it will not happen to others because I have taken responsibility.”
The NYSC boss also commended directors, acting directors and other management officials for attending the workshop, describing their presence as a morale booster and a demonstration of management’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
He thanked the participants for their sacrifices and urged them to ensure that the knowledge gained was effectively communicated and implemented in their respective formations.
Management Seeks Sustainable Safety Culture
Earlier, the Director of General Services, Yetunde Baderinwa, described the workshop as a significant step towards establishing a coordinated and sustainable approach to occupational health, safety and environmental management throughout the scheme.
Baderinwa commended Nafiu for his leadership and commitment to institutional development, staff welfare and operational efficiency, noting that management’s support for the initiative demonstrated the importance attached to the safety and well-being of personnel and other stakeholders.
She expressed appreciation to the Director-General and the entire management team for supporting the successful organisation of the workshop.
The director also acknowledged the resource persons for accepting the invitation to share their professional expertise and practical experiences despite their demanding schedules.
She said the safety of NYSC personnel, corps members, visitors, service providers and other stakeholders remained a shared responsibility that required sustained attention across all formations.
According to her, every NYSC office, state secretariat, orientation camp, store and operational facility must provide an environment where people can discharge their duties without unnecessary exposure to avoidable risks.
Baderinwa explained that the workshop was designed to equip the designated officers with practical knowledge to identify workplace dangers, prevent accidents, respond appropriately to safety challenges and maintain clean and healthy environments.
She added that participants were expected to apply the knowledge acquired to improve workplace cleanliness, strengthen safety practices and protect staff and corps members from avoidable harm.
The director expressed confidence that the lessons and recommendations from the sessions would contribute significantly to establishing a sustainable safety culture within the scheme.
She urged participants to ensure that the knowledge gained was translated into concrete actions capable of improving occupational health, safety and environmental standards across NYSC formations nationwide.
The workshop underscores the scheme’s commitment to strengthening preventive safety measures, improving emergency response and ensuring that its facilities provide safer working and living environments for personnel, corps members and visitors.
