Lagos govt holds fitness walk, safety drive ahead of Eyo festival

Lagos govt holds fitness walk, safety drive ahead of Eyo festival

 

 Ahead of the annual Eyo masquerade festival, the Lagos State Government on Tuesday staged a fitness walk and safety campaign on Lagos Island.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the walk was led by LASEMA, in collaboration with Local Emergency Management Committees of Lagos Island LGA and Lagos Island East LCDA.

 

The exercise, led by LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, commenced from the Lagos Island East LCDA Secretariat to the Adeniji Adele Road axis.

 

Addressing participants, Oke-Osanyintolu stressed physical fitness and total wellbeing, noting that effective emergency response begins with healthy and prepared personnel.

 

“We are here to assure Lagos residents, under Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, that they will enjoy dividends of democracy in security, emergency and disaster management,” he said.

 

He said LASEMA and grassroots partners possess the manpower, equipment and capacity to respond to emergencies before, during and after the festival.

 

“We are fit, prepared and fully on ground. Emergency impacts the grassroots most, hence strengthening and equipping local emergency committees,” Oke-Osanyintolu added.

 

He urged residents to be safety-conscious, obey regulations and avoid actions that could trigger emergencies, while warning against hoax calls to emergency lines.

 

The LASEMA boss reiterated that emergency toll-free numbers 767 and 112 remain active, assuring prompt response once contacted.

 

Oke-Osanyintolu assured residents and visitors, including those from the Diaspora, of adequate safety measures during the Eyo festival.

 

“We have conducted risk and vulnerability analyses and deployed effective equipment and personnel. People should come, rejoice and be assured of safety,” he said.

 

Vice Chairman of Lagos Island East LCDA, Mrs Mosurat Balogun, described the fitness walk as laudable, saying it went beyond physical exercise.

 

“This initiative is not just about fitness. It creates awareness that emergency responders are on ground during the festive period,” Balogun said.

 

She advised residents and visitors celebrating Christmas and attending festivities to be law-abiding and avoid firecrackers and other unsafe practices.

 

Vice Chairman of Lagos Island LGA, Mr Aru Folami, expressed delight at LASEMA’s engagement, noting the area’s high vulnerability to emergencies.

 

“We are happy to receive the Permanent Secretary. Our local teams are ready, mobilising Red Cross members and creating awareness,” Folami said.

 

He added that the collaboration would help ensure peaceful celebrations throughout the festive period.

 

Chairman of Lagos Island East LCDA, Mr Muibi Alade-Folawiyo, commended LASEMA for proactive sensitisation and grassroots engagement on emergency management.

 

The  Eyo masquerade, also known as the Adamu Orisha festival, will hold on Dec. 27 on Lagos Island and it will honour late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, late Alhaji Lateef Jakande and sir Michael Otedola.