The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing emergency preparedness at the grassroots with the revitalization of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) across the state.
Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, made the remark during a stakeholders’ meeting held to fine-tune LEMC operations, bringing together vice chairmen of local governments who also serve as chairmen of the committees.
Oke-Osanyintolu said the meeting aimed to ensure that local emergency managers fully understood their roles and collaborated effectively to protect lives and property.
“The mandate of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is clear: the safety of lives and property remains a key dividend of democracy. This stakeholders’ meeting ensures that our local emergency structures are alert, working hand in hand to effectively manage the golden hour — the critical period between life and death,” he said.
He explained that LASEMA is onboarding and retraining local emergency officials to maintain uniform standards of response across all local governments.
According to him, the agency has also intensified preparedness ahead of the festive season, assuring residents of an emergency-free Christmas and New Year.
“As part of our efforts, we will visit the LEMCs at Lagos Island, Onigbongbo, and Alimosho to demonstrate readiness and reassure Lagos residents that the state is prepared for any eventuality,” Oke-Osanyintolu added.
He urged residents to act responsibly, stressing that emergency management is a shared responsibility. “While we do our part, the public must also act mindfully. Emergency is everyone’s business,” he said.
Speaking at the meeting, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Akerele, Vice Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, described the engagement as timely, noting that “effective emergency response begins at the grassroots. We know our terrain and communities, which makes us the first responders whenever emergencies occur.”
Akerele, who is also Chairman of Vice Chairmen in Lagos State, said vice chairmen are prepared to serve as chairmen of emergency management at the local level, in line with the law establishing LASEMA.
She added that they would engage their respective local government chairmen to ensure seamless coordination in protecting lives and property.
“As chief security officers at the local level, we are ready to support the state government and work in line with Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people,” she said, assuring residents that local government leadership will continue collaborating with LASEMA and other stakeholders to safeguard lives, property, and community security across Lagos State.
The stakeholders’ engagement reportedly included representatives from various emergency response agencies across the state.
