The Ogun State State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan, has advocated constant training of firefighters, in order to keep them abreast of the global trends in safety practices.

Hon. Ilori-Oduntan, who stated this during the celebration of the 2023 International Fire Fighters Day, said the move would help in the reduction of cases of fire disaster.

Ilori-Oduntan, in a statement signed by her Press Officer, Mr. Olusegun Owotomo, noted that fire fighters need regular professional training and making available firefighting equipment, saying that the sensitisation would reduce the danger and risk they are exposed to.

The Commissioner commended the Men of the State Fire Service for their proactiveness in combating fire disasters across the State, praying for the souls of the departed firefighters whose lives were lost in the course of discharging their duties.

On his part, the Director, Ogun State Fire and Safety Services, Engr. Fatai Adefala, appreciated the present administration for the facelift given to all existing fire stations, also the construction of four new ultra-modern fire and safety services station across the State, promising that they will continue to do more in the area of safety of lives and property of the people.

According to Adefala, ‘’International Firefighters Day is commemorated worldwide on the 4th of May annually to honour the sacrifice of firefighters who had died in the line of duty and also to celebrate and acknowledge the effort of those still living who continue to risk their lives on daily bases in the course of rendering their humanitarian services to the populace’’.

Highlights of the event included the decoration of the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Lateef Benson and other management staff of the Ministry with the 2023 International Fire Fighters Day (IFFD) emblem by Director, Engr. Fatai Adefala.

In a related development, Ogun State Government has taken its campaign against fire disaster to major markets in Abeokuta, as part of safety measures to reduce the cases of fire incident which may lead to loss of lives and property in the State.

Officers and men of the State Fire and Safety Service during their visit to the major markets in Kuto, Panseke to celebrate this year’s international fire fighters day, enlightened the traders and drivers of commercial buses at the motor parks on how to prevent fire incidents in their respective houses, vehicles and public places.

In her remarks, the Iyaloja of Lipede market, Chief Mrs. Adenekan Bakre, appreciated the men of the Ogun State Fire and Safety Services for taking out time to sensitise traders on the various ways to combat fire disasters in the case of any emergency.