ILO partners with Nigeria to ensure occupational safety at the workplace
ILO supported Nigeria in developing a national profile on occupational safety and health, which was officially launched in April 2017.
29 April 2017
During his opening statement, Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator (Dr.) Chris Nwabueze Ngige, stated that the Country Profile on OSH offers an overview of the country’s national recording and notification system for occupational accidents and diseases, as well as institutions and activities in the areas of OSH. This was done in line with ILO’s requirement for ratifying member states to establish mechanisms for collection and utilization of reliable OSH data.
The Honourable minister highlighted that the theme for 2017, Optimize the collection and use of OSH data, is very apt as the capacity to collect and utilize reliable OSH data has become indispensable for countries to be able to fulfil their commitment to implement and report on Sustainable Development Goals …. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Target 8:8 calls for the ‘protection of labour rights and promotion of safe and secure working environments for all workers...’. He then called for coordinated, multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral synergy and cooperation towards surmounting the current OSH data challenge in the country.
Mr Dennis Zulu, Director of ILO Abuja Country Office in his address, stated that the ILO is committed to the partnership with the Federal Government in supporting Nigeria to utilize the profile and thus, develop preventive Occupational Safety and Health strategies aimed at protecting workers’ health. He advised all stakeholders to invest in collection of data to help take informed decisions.
Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, Director General of Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), urged employers to be committed to issues of Occupational Health and Safety and be ready to communicate occupational accidents to the right authority.
Mrs Maureen Oyia–Ekwuazi, representing the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba urged workers not to hide workplace accidents but report them for proper attention and documentation.
The observance of 2017 World Day for Occupational Safety and Health (WDOSH) by the ILO constituents and its stakeholders in Nigeria took place at the National Universities Commission. The celebration was attended by government officials, Employers’ Organization, Workers Organization, Non-Governmental Organizations and other stakeholders. Building up to the day a sensitization and advocacy work was done in the informal sector in Gudu (Auto-mechanic village). During the campaign, free blood sugar, blood pressure, HIV and hepatitis tests were conducted on interested members of the public who volunteered to know their status.
The annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. The ILO’s campaign for the 2017 World Day for Safety and Health at Work focuses on the critical need for countries to improve their capacity to collect and utilize reliable occupational safety and health (OSH) data.
It is an awareness-raising campaign intended to focus international attention on the magnitude of the problem and on how promoting and creating a safety and health culture can help reduce the number of work-related deaths and injuries. The celebration aims to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. With the celebration of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the ILO promotes the creation of a global preventative safety and health culture involving ILO constituents and all key stakeholders in this field. The 28 April is also the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers organized worldwide by the trade union movement since 1996. Its purpose is to honour the memory of victims of occupational accidents and diseases by organizing worldwide mobilizations and awareness campaigns on this date.