In observance of World Day for Safety and Health, employees of National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) embarked on a dynamic fitness walk, promoting physical well-being and fostering camaraderie among staff members. This event, scheduled for Day three (3) of the ongoing safety week, took place from the Headquarters’, Abuja, within the Central Business District on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Led by the Director of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), Mr. Cyrus Nkangwung, the event saw enthusiastic participation from NOSDRA’s workforce at the headquarters and simultaneously across all zonal offices, with representatives from various departments joining in the walk.
Interviewed during the walk, Nkangwung expressed his satisfaction at the success of the event. He stated that this was a starting point as the OSH Department was poised at improving the overall health and safety of staff, adding that although the World Day for Safety and Health was an annual event, the department would intend to introduce this fitness programme quarterly and promote football and other sport activities at the headquarters and at the zonal offices. He also emphasized the need for staff to take their health and safety seriously, while admonishing them not to partake in unsafe jobs and activities with unresolved safety hazards.
Mr. Francis Umeh, Deputy Director of Oil Field Assessment (OFA) Department and Chairman of the Safety Committee at NOSDRA, reiterated the significance of the Safety Week programme, describing it as enlightening. Regarding the fitness walk, he highlighted its purpose in fostering a culture of regular exercise among staff members.
Umeh expressed the committee’s commitment to exploring the continuity of such activities, while stating their importance in promoting employee well-being. He mentioned that a recommendation for periodic exercises will be included in the report to be presented to the agency’s management, underscoring the long-term benefits of fitness initiatives on workplace productivity. He stressed the positive effects of fitness activities on blood circulation, overall health and productivity. In his words: “The healthier you are, the more productive you will be”.
Several directors and staff of NOSDRA expressed their enthusiasm for the fitness walk and voiced their support for making it a recurring event.
Mr. Gidado Abiodun, Director (Procurement Department), commended the initiative, adding that activities as this should be undertaken periodically. He also stated the importance of fostering a sense of unity and cohesion among staff. “I believe events like this will not only improve our health conditions but also serve as opportunities for staff members to bond outside of the office environment. It is also heartwarming to know that all zonal offices also participated in today’s activities”, he noted.
Mr. Adeola Olufemi John, Assistant Director (Oil Field Assessment, OFA) Department and a member of the Safety Committee, expressed his enthusiasm for the fitness walk and voiced his support for making it a recurring event. He commented, “Participating in today’s walk was a great way to connect with colleagues you have probably never interacted with. I think it should we should have regular exercises that will ensure fitness at work”.
Dr. Shola Oladipo, Director Planning Policy Analysis and Research (PPAR) Department, echoed similar sentiments, adding, “Today’s event gave room to exercise the body, socialize and interact with people, I look forward to continuity as a one-off event will make little to no long-term impact.”
As the fitness walk concluded, NOSDRA staff expressed their eagerness for future events, highlighting the positive impact on both individual health and organizational cohesion, adding that with a renewed commitment to safety and well-being, NOSDRA would continue to lead by example in promoting a culture of health and fitness among its workforce.
Photos from HQ and Zonal Offices
