LEADERSHIP MUST LEAD FROM WITHIN, SAYS AKINLARA BABALOLA

Safety practitioners have called for a recalibration of safety culture in Lagos State and Nigeria, stressing that effective leadership must begin from within organisations and institutions to build a resilient safety future.

The call was made by a safety expert and consultant to the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC), Mr. Akinlara Babalola, MD, 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 sustaining a global gold standard in the protection of lives and property across the state, describing safety as a critical pillar of Lagos’ competitiveness and global appeal.

According to him, achieving a safe and secure Lagos requires collective responsibility and proactive leadership at all levels, noting that safety should not be treated as “nobody’s business.”

“Safety does not begin with alarms or regulators alone; it starts with leadership,” he said, adding that every stakeholder must see safety as 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 across Nigeria.

The Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, also said safety doesn't start with alarm, regulators but starts with leadership, but works with culture, hence, maintained if safety doesn't thrive under leadership, we have a cause to worry about.

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He advised that leadership needs to do reality check, but concluded if leadership should fail, safety fails.

In his own contribution, the President of the Safety Professionals of Nigeria, Chief (Dr ) Stephen Udenze, professional leadership doesn't live with excuses but take responsibility of whatever happens, be it good or bad so far the officer or officers that caused it are under your authority.

He said with that, safety culture is already being built and before you know it, everywhere is built by dedicated safety team who are ready to instil discipline in the entire

Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olorundare Jimoh, emphasised that safety and security are inseparable, noting that police officers are trained to protect lives and property through both safety and security enforcement.

The Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the growing collaboration between safety and security agencies, urging citizens and organisations to remain committed to enforcing safety standards and safeguarding 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, President of ISPON Chief (Dr) Stephen Udenze and other key stakeholders in the safety industry.