By Kemi Olatunde
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting workplace safety, protecting workers’ welfare, and fostering job creation through strict compliance with occupational safety standards.
The governor made this known while delivering his keynote address at the 2025 National Safety Conference with the theme “Occupational Safety Compliance: Key to Safer Workplaces and Job Creation,” organised by the Occupational Safety Society of Nigeria (OSSN) in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday.
Represented by his Special Assistant on Emergency Response, Mr. Wellington Adebawo, the Governor described the conference as a timely and vital engagement that aligns with global trends in industrial policy and human capital development, noting that no society can achieve sustainable growth without safeguarding the health and well-being of its workforce.
According to him, “A society that fails to protect its workers from occupational hazards undermines not only the health of its citizens but also the productivity of its industries and the stability of its economy.”
Aiyedatiwa noted that his administration views worker safety as fundamental to productivity and inclusive growth, stressing that a safe workforce is a productive workforce. He added that economic expansion in Ondo State must not come at the cost of human lives or well-being.
Highlighting the state’s proactive measures, the governor disclosed that Ondo State has made significant progress in strengthening institutional frameworks for emergency response, occupational health, and disaster risk management.
He said the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (ODSEMA), along with other relevant bodies, had been repositioned to enhance coordination among stakeholders, provide capacity building for first responders, and foster private sector participation in safety planning and implementation.
“Our goal is to build a system where prevention, preparedness, and quick response become a natural part of every organisation’s culture,” Aiyedatiwa added.
The governor further argued that compliance with occupational safety standards should not be seen as a regulatory burden but as a strategic investment that stimulates job creation and economic growth.
“When industries operate in safe environments, productivity increases, employee morale improves, and investors gain confidence,” he said. “Safety compliance reduces downtime, minimises losses, and promotes innovation all of which attract more investments and create new employment opportunities.”
He therefore urged employers, labour unions, and regulatory agencies to view safety as a shared responsibility, emphasising the need for collective commitment and collaboration.
While commending the Occupational Safety Society of Nigeria (OSSN) for organising the conference and for its consistent advocacy toward safer workplaces in Nigeria, he assured of his administration’s continued support for initiatives that enhance workers’ safety, boost productivity, and promote sustainable economic development.
“Let us use this conference as a platform to strengthen our resolve, share ideas, and forge partnerships that will make Nigerian workplaces models of safety, innovation, and productivity,” he concluded.
In his welcome address, the President of OSSN, Pastor Kolawole Praiseworth, stated that the establishment of a safety commission would strengthen safety laws and create job opportunities for professionals in strategic management.
He stressed the need to protect workers in the state through the provision of enabling laws and structures, saying, “Industries and other agencies must comply. The time has come to have a proper structure for health and safety.”
He assured the organisation’s commitment to partnering with the state government in establishing a functional Safety Commission in Ondo State.