Ikeja Electric launches Academy to deepen safety culture

Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) says it has launched a professional Quality Health, Safety and Environment Academy (QHSE) tagged: “i-Empower” to deepen the culture of safety among its employees.

Mr Felix Ofulue, the Head, Corporate Communications Unit, said in Lagos on Sunday that the academy would eliminate the risk of fatality arising from electricity accidents in its network.

“It is an intensive and highly impactful empowerment initiative developed as part of the company’s long term sustainable knowledge and expertise transfer programme designed to empower passionate and dedicated staff,” Ofulue said.

He said that some staff members had indicated interest in becoming safety ambassadors for the company.

“A total of 50 staff members were matriculated for the pilot phase of the Master Class Programme.

“They are expected to go through a three-month intensive training programme facilitated by HSE experts from various professional safety institutions in Nigeria,” Ofulue said.

Also, Mr Jamiu Badmos, the Head, QHSE, Ikeja Electric, said that the initiative would promote and enhance effective succession planning, through provision of a pool of well trained, articulate, competent and qualified staff.

“As a forward-thinking and innovative organisation, Ikeja Electric is building a sustainable HSE programme that is first of its kind in the sector.

“These trainees will add the robust Health, Safety and Environment knowledge to their in-depth understanding of the power sector.

“The 50 staff will become safety ambassadors for the company.

“The advantage this offers is that in case of any incident, these well-trained individuals can assist or even prevent it from happening.

“The classes are interesting and the graduates at the end of the training will have certificates from the

Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the largest HSE body in Europe.

“Also, they will be given another certificate from the Lagos State Safety Commission, the regulator body for safety in Lagos State, in addition to the certificate from Ikeja Electric,” he said.

Badmos said that the academy would be attended by staff members across the various cadres.

According to him, the class holds every Saturday with interesting practical sessions that give room for learning.

“With its robust syllabus, the i-Empower programme offers foundational and advanced aspects of Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Sustainability and Quality Management using Syndicate Sessions, Practical and field practices.

“It also involves Powerpoint presentations by students, assignments, mentoring, periodic assessment with final examination taken at the end of the programme and a convocation ceremony for the graduands.

“The Academy will leverage on the experience of accomplished safety and subject matter experts such as Kayode Fowode, the first black man appointed into the Council of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

“Othrs are Dapo Omolade, Chief Executive Officer of Hybrid Group, Dare Akinfosile, the Divisional Training Adviser, Nigerian Red Cross Society and Mr Julius Akpong a foremost and erudite HSE Manager,” he said. (NAN)