LEADERSHIP MUST BEGN FROM WITHIN – AKINLARA BABALOLA

 

Safety professionals have called for a renewed and deliberate recalibration of safety culture in Lagos State and across Nigeria, stressing that sustainable safety outcomes must be driven by leadership that begins from within organisations and institutions.

The call was made by safety expert and consultant to the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC), Mr. Akinlara Babalola, Managing Director of Green Lantern Services, at the maiden edition of the Lagos Safety Outlook 2026, themed “Leading from Within”, held at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Babalola reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s renewed commitment to maintaining global best practices in the protection of lives and property, describing safety as a critical pillar of Lagos State’s competitiveness and global appeal. He noted that achieving a safe and secure Lagos requires collective responsibility and proactive leadership at all levels, warning against treating safety as “nobody’s business.”

“Safety does not begin with alarms or regulators alone; it starts with leadership,” he said, adding that every stakeholder must regard safety as both a personal and shared responsibility.

In his concluding remarks, the convener explained that the Lagos Safety Outlook is designed to serve as an annual platform for policy dialogue, leadership engagement and strategic thinking aimed at strengthening safety culture in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.

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Also speaking, the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, emphasised that safety begins with leadership and is sustained by culture. He warned that if safety fails to thrive under leadership, it becomes a serious cause for concern. According to him, leadership must continually conduct reality checks, stressing that when leadership fails, safety inevitably fails.

In his contribution, the President of the Safety Professionals of Nigeria, Chief (Dr.) Stephen Udenze, said professional leadership does not make excuses but takes responsibility for outcomes—whether positive or negative—arising under its authority. He noted that such accountability naturally fosters a strong safety culture, supported by dedicated safety teams committed to instilling discipline across organisations.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olorundare Jimoh, also highlighted the inseparable link between safety and security, explaining that police officers are trained to protect lives and property through the enforcement of both safety and security measures. He expressed satisfaction with the growing collaboration between safety and security agencies and urged citizens and organisations to remain committed to enforcing safety standards and protecting lives and assets.

Highlights of the event included the presentation of Leadership Excellence Awards in Safety to the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola; Mr. Seun Awojobi; the President of ISPON, Chief (Dr.) Stephen Udenze; and other key stakeholders in the safety industry.