By ABAH ADAH, Abuja
The Executive Secretary, ES, and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the Solid Minerals Development Fund, SMDF, Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, has stated that preparing the workforce of the Fund for effective emergency management was imperative.
The ES disclosed this in her welcome remarks at opening ceremony of an ongoing weeklong training session in Abuja, being the second phrase of training of 50 personnel of SMDF selected from its various offices and work locations across the country, organised by the Fund in conjunction with the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
The training, which also includes the impartation of knowledge of the Designated First Aider Course by officials of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, aims to ensure the preparedness of various SMDF personnel, according to the information made available to AljazirahNigria.
Shinkafi said that as a key player in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Economic Diversification Agenda, working for the attainment of the mandate of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, for the sector, it was essential that the Fund strengthens its workforce to effectively respond to and manage emergencies for safe and enhanced productivity.
The ES, who was represented by the Head, Minerals and Project Development Department in the agency, Dr Martina Ananaba, explained, “The training will focus on crucial topics such as first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and emergency preparedness.
“These are skills that could save lives, and at the end of the training, participants are expected to have the confidence and capability to respond in critical situations.
“These are not just technical skills; they are life-saving skills. So, make the most of this opportunity to be better prepared for the unexpected.
“Your role as staff members means you are often on the front lines, and the importance of being prepared cannot be overemphasised. Whether it is performing CPR, providing first aid in an emergency, or managing a disaster situation, the knowledge you gain during this training will empower you to act quickly and efficiently.
“Our ability to respond to emergencies not only impacts the safety of the communities we serve but also reflects the dedication and professionalism of our team.”
While thanking the Nigerian Red Cross Society for facilitating the training, she
urged participants to engage fully, ask questions, share their thoughts and practise the skills they were learning.
Speaking, the Head of Corporate Communications at the SMDF, Idowu Jokpeyibo, who described the training as a policy effort of the administration to create safety awareness among staff working in various work locations of the SMDF, said it would equip the personnel with the requisite knowledge to administer first aid in cases of emergencies before the arrival of medial teams.
The Head Trainer, Nigerian Red Cross Society, who is the Lead Instructor at the First Aider course training, Mr Audu Goji said “the Course is an advanced life saving skill for designated first responders working at highly hazardous areas like mining and exploration sites, exploration industries, constriction sites and aviation industries.
He gave an insight into the day-by-day content of the programme, saying Day One entailed introduction and objectives of the course, emergency response methodologies, role of First Aider, Human Anatomy and Physiology.
