Sade Williams/Business a.m.
L-R: Alex Badeh Jr., director general, NSIB; Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Bimbo Oladeji, director, public affairs and family assistance, NSIB; and Bunmi Gindeh, special adviser to the DG, NSIB, during a courtesy call on the governor in Ibadan, Oyo State
Alex Badeh Jr., the director general of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), along with members of his team, at the weekend, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, as part of plans aimed at strengthening relationships between the NSIB and the state government.
The visit was also aimed at exploring potential areas of collaboration in the advancement of transport safety measures and accident prevention strategies within the state.
Badeh Jr. expressed his appreciation for Governor Makinde’s leadership and commitment to infrastructure development in Oyo state, noting the importance of incorporating robust safety protocols across all sectors, including transportation and other industries that require stringent safety oversight.
He briefed Governor Makinde on NSIB’s mission and key accomplishments in recent years, emphasising the bureau’s dedication to improving safety outcomes through thorough investigation of incidents and accidents, transport safety recommendations, as well as proactive engagement with stakeholders.
“We are here today to express our admiration for your visionary leadership and to explore how we can work together to promote a culture of transport safety in Oyo State. NSIB is committed to ensuring that safety remains at the forefront of every development initiative, and we believe that by working with state governments, we can create safer environments across Nigeria,” Badeh Jr. remarked.
Governor Seyi Makinde, in response, welcomed him and his team, applauding NSIB’s role in enhancing transport safety in Nigeria and expressing his eagerness to explore areas where the Oyo State government could benefit from the bureau’s expertise, particularly in sectors involving transportation and public safety.
“Your work is critical in ensuring that we learn from past accidents and prevent future occurrences, and I am pleased to see your proactive approach in reaching out to stakeholders at all levels,” he stated.
The governor further highlighted his administration’s commitment to infrastructural development and improving safety standards in the state. He also emphasised the importance of cooperation between federal agencies and state governments in achieving lasting progress in safety initiatives.
A statement signed by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, director, public affairs and family assistance, for the Bureau added that the discussion provided an opportunity for the NSIB team and Governor Makinde to deliberate on areas of mutual interest, including the need for continuous education and training on safety protocols, as well as the importance of public awareness campaigns to instil a culture of safety among citizens.
The visit also resulted in a mutual commitment to strengthening collaboration and actioning programmes and projects that would benefit not only Oyo State but also other regions of the country.
The cruel paradox of Nigeria’s economic recovery