By CHARLES IWUOHA

Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, has urged personnel of security agencies to be fire prevention conscious to safeguard assets and personnel.

Lagbaja gave the charge while inaugurating a Fire Prevention and Management Sensitisation Seminar for security personnel within the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) on Thursday in Enugu.

The theme of the seminar is “Enhancing Safety of Nigerian Army Personnel and Assets through Fire Prevention Awareness Campaigns”.

He said that the seminar is part of Army Headquarters scheduled training activities for the year 2022 and “it is designed to enhance capacity building as a prerequisite to safety of Nigerian Army assets and personnel”.

According to him, the seminar will reawaken our consciousness on the disaster of fire incidents and the need to guide against such occurrences in our dwelling and work places.

“Your presence (from all security agencies) here today is indicative of our collective resolve in ensuring a fire-free environment to ensure the safety of lives and property of serving personnel and their families.

“I, therefore, thank you all for your positive responses to our invitation,” he said.

On the theme, the GOC said that it clearly encapsulates the importance of the seminar as it re-echoes the need for continuous fire prevention awareness to Nigerian Army personnel.

He appreciated the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for finding the Division worthy to host this seminar and for his usual generosity in providing the needed resources to host the seminar.

He said: “It is in tandem with the Philosophy of Command of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) which prioritises the welfare and safety of personnel and assets belonging to the Service.

“I, therefore, commend the wisdom and foresight of Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics in providing a platform to improve the capacity of personnel in 82 Division AOR on fire safety awareness and we eagerly look forward to implementing the recommendations of the seminar”.

The GOC also urged the participants at the seminar to make good use of the opportunity and learn all the rudiments of fire prevention and management.

“The knowledge you will acquire here today will be useful to you even after your retirement or discharge from the Service. I, therefore, enjoin you all to participate with enthusiasm during the interactive sessions and contribute meaningfully to the discussions,” he said.

The lectures in the seminar included: “Contemporary Approaches to Fire and Safety Management as a Stimulus to Optimal Fire Response in the Nigerian Army”; which was delivered by the Assistant Commandant-General of Fire, Mr Chika Njoku.

Lecture two of the seminar centred on: “Efficient Fire Prevention Skills as a Prerequisite to Safety of Nigerian Army Assets and Personnel”, which was delivered by Brig.-Gen. M.O. Ikobah.

The seminar is being attended by over 100 participants drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Police, NSCDC, NDLEA, DSS, FRSC, Nigerian Customs, Nigerian Immigration Service among others.

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