Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
September 24, 2015 – Total Nigeria Plc, took its doctrine of Corporate Social Responsibility to another level during the week when it donated 2, 400 life jackets to students in rural areas who commute to and from schools through the Lagos Waterways.
Scores of students have died in recent times in the Lagos waterways in various accidents either for not wearing life jacket or putting on fake life vests.
The items were distributed through the Lagos State Government on Wednesday as part of activities to flag off campaign of Water Transport Safety Awareness Programme in Lagos.
The jackets were distributed to students of primary and secondary school and boat operators in Sabokoji community, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, appealing to parents to ensure their wards use them on board.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mrs Abisola Kamson, said the distribution was part of efforts to improve safety on waterways, adding that the jackets was particularly designed for the students who would be get to school via ferry.
“Today’s distribution of life jackets to students in Sabokoji community in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government area of Lagos State is part of concentrated efforts by the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to improve safety on Lagos waterways”.
Kamson advised parents to insist that their wards use the life jackets when on board and that the life jackets should not just be kept at home, adding that operators should always use it and possibly keep some inside their boats or ferries.
While maintaining that it is imperative that all Lagosians are safe, she added that they should always wear life jackets when plying any form of water vessels for transportation.
She said it was imperative that all Lagosians are safe and wear life jackets when plying any form of water vessels for transportation.
Earlier, Executive Secretary of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Deacons Modupe Ajibola-Ojodu, said the provision of the life jackets underscores the determination of the State Government to make the waterways safer for both operators and passengers, with particular emphasis on students in the riverine areas.
Students from five schools, LA Primary School, Tomaro, Ilado, Nanti Community Nursery and Primary School, Sea School, Apapa, LA Nursery and Primary School, Sabokoji, Bishop Koji Community Nursery and Primary School and Itun-Agan Community Nursery and Primary School, Ilado were presented with life jackets and a demonstration of how to use the jacket and how to resuscitate victims of boat mishaps were made.
