BABAJIMI BENSON FACILITATES DISTRIBUTION OF SAFETY JACKETS TO ROYAL HEADS, CHIEFS, IN IKORODU DIVISION. | Shakiru Seidu.

Hon Babajimi Benson, member, House of Reps, representing Ikorodu federal constituency, was on Tuesday pallied with the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, to facilitate distribution of over 100 life jackets to Royal Heads and Chiefs in Ikorodu Division, in continuation of the agency’s Water Safety Awareness programme.

The Babajimi Benson's iCARE Foundation Team led the distributions of the life Jackets with some of the management team of LASWA, to the Palaces of Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Ranodu of Imota, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Obateru of Egbin, Alajede of Ijede, Sekumade of Ipakodo and Olubeshe of Ibeshe land.

Engr Akeem Gbadamoshi, LASWA’s Marine Director said to the Monarchs and MegaXpression Community Magazine during the distribution of the life jackets, that the gesture was facilitated by Hon Babajimi Benson and to boost waterways safety in Ikorodu Division.

He said: “This is in continuation of our water safety programme which we have been doing regularly and this time around, we're starting from Ikorodu Division. We have distributed many life jackets at our terminal and boat operators from Ipakodo, Ijede, Bayeku, Offin, Aiyetoro and other riverine communities across Ikorodu Division had received the gesture.”

Engr Akeem emphasized that the distribution of life jackets at this time was a preventive measure to curtail boat mishap. In the same vein, he advised operators to disembark any passenger who refuses to use the life jacket which represents the use of seat belt in vehicles.

In his eloquent remarks, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, thanked Hon Babajimi Benson for the kind gesture, saying safety is too important to be compromised in any human activity. The Monarch urged the Boat Operators to streamline their operations according to international best practice.

According to him, “There had been unpleasant incidents of boat mishaps in the past, users of water transportation faces different challenges, these circumstances request for the prompt intervention of the Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA."

Oba Shotobi added that the government should continuously introduced measures to improve water transportation in the State, including the construction of modern jetties for riverine communities and enforcement of safety rules among boat operators.

The Ikorodu monarch, who called for strict enforcement of “No life jackets, no water travel” campaign, urged boat operators to shun overloading, night travels and boat cruising by untrained persons.

While noting that safety on water must be collectively enforced, he called on various individuals and regulatory authorities, to step up safety advocacy among users of water transportation in Lagos State.

Speaking earlier, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulsemiu Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo land, also applauded the gestures of Hon Babajimi Benson, noting that his quality representation is very uncommon and it's a blessing to Ikorodu Division. 

In the same vein, the monarch thanked the LASWA for resolving to safe guard the water-ways, stressing that every child or adult embarking on water journey must make use of life jacket. He further enjoined all to be safety conscious.

His Royal Majesties, Oba Mudashiru Ajibade Agoro of Imota, Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo of Egbin, Oba Aremu Sotonwa of Ipakodo, Oba Richard Ogunsanya of Ibeshe, and Regent of Ijede, also thanked Hon Babajimi Benson and the agency for the gestures.

SHAKIRU SEIDU
Publisher, MegaXpression Community Magazine.
The genuine VOICE of Ikorodu Division.