Pulse.ng : ASATTAHIR International Foundation Unveil Blueprints On Fire Disaster Preparedness and Response

By Sani Idris

ASTTAHIR foundation has unveiled the outcome of its long awaited research on Fire Disaster Preparedness and Response in Sokoto state to the public. The research was conducted on the 1st of February, 2023. The event saw the present of high-profile government dignitaries, national and international development partners, religious and traditional leaders, members of the press and the private sector.

The Executive Secretary of the Foundation Prof. Yahaya Tanko Baba in his opening remarks, welcomed delegations from Sokoto state government, heads of various Federal and State MDAs, National and International partners, leaders of Religious and Traditional institutions and members of the press to the occasion. While appreciating the invited guests for honoring the invitation, he recognized the tremendous support of critical stakeholders towards the success of the research

Delivering goodwill message on behalf of the Secretary to the state Government, Alhaji Abubakar Ginga expressed his profound gratitude to ASATTAHIR International Foundation for it's foresight to conduct a baseline study on the agelong menace of Fire Disaster that has bedeviled Sokoto state.

He called on various stakeholders and development partners in the state to learn to be independent, creative and be initiators of programs that address specific problems in the state.

Members of the high table in their goodwill messages commended the Foundation for thinking in the right direction and investing heavily to develop a blueprint that could address the prevalence of fire incidences in Sokoto state and Nigeria at large.

The Founder and Chairman Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Aliyu Sidi Attahiru while delivering his speech thanked Sokoto state government for creating an enabling environment for Civil Society Organizations to implement programmes that improve quality of life of the people with ease. He appreciated various Federal and State MDAs, Civil Society Organizations, Academic Experts and the private sector for being magnanimous with all the needed information during the research. He stated the commitment and readiness of the Foundation to bring incidences of fire outbreaks in Sokoto state and Nigeria to the bearest minimum. While commending the research team for their selfless efforts throughout the nine months of rigorous data collection, analysis and stakeholder engagements, expressed optimism that with careful adoption of the recommendations and blueprint put forth by the research, it may strengthen the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery mechanisms against future fire incidences.

Giving the overview of the research findings, the Head of Programs and Research of the Foundation Rufus Yagkong outlined the major factors causing fire outbreaks at the level of preparedness and response to incidences of fire as well as annual estimated losses recorded in the state over the last six years.

He presented the scope of the research, the instruments used in data collection and analysis, gaps unearthed by the research in Preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery mechanisms. He outlined the recommendations based on six pillars and strategies that can effectively strengthen the mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery mechanisms in the state and Nigeria at large.

The unveiling of the research document was led by the Founder and Chairman BoT of the Foundation who presented copies of the blueprint to Sokoto state government through the office of the Secretary to the State Government. Copies were also shared with various MDAs and partners during the unveiling.

Anchoring the call to action, the Executive Secretary of the Foundation Prof. Yahaya Tanko Baba and Dr. Garba Ibrahim Faculty of Arts Department of Linguistics called on the government at state and federal levels of uphold good policy enforcements and invest in critical sectors of the society through infrastructural development, procurement of of modern firefighting equipment, recruitment of adequate firemen and funding of humanitarian organizations like ASATTAHIR International Foundation to sensitize the general public on basic fire safety and engagement with stakeholders to strengthen the system for an improved fire prevention and control mechanisms.

Giving the closing remarks, Barr. Rashidat Mohammed, the Legal Adviser of the Foundation applauded the research team for their resilience throughout the research period. She thanked all the invited guests for coming and wished them safe return to their various destinations

Dignitaries that graced the occasion include the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Muhammad Mainasara Ahmad (mni) as the Special Guest of Honour, ably represented by the Permanent Secretary Political Affairs Alh. Abubakar Ginga, His highness Sarkin Yakin Gagi Alh. Muhammad Sani Umar Jabbi who served as the royal father of the day and chairman of the occasion, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Haj. Aishatu Dan Tsoho (mni), the Executive Secretary SOSACAT, representatives of Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs, Commissioner of Police, Sokoto state Command, Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Commissioner of Health, Road Safety Corps, EFCC, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Assistant Superintendent of the Federal Fire Service, State Fire Service, Head of NEMA Sokoto field office, Sokoto Emergency Management Agency, NESREA, heads of various Civil Society Organizations and various international donor agencies among many other dignitaries and guests.