SAFETY ROUND-TABLE TALK

The “Safety Round-Table Talk” is part of the advocacy projects designed by Mr. Danfo to promote community engagement and safety education. As a survivor of a fatal road crash about four (4) years ago, the artist has since used his practice to raise awareness and educate the public on road safety. In May 2023, he launched the children’s safety workshops to educate children on the importance of road safety and foster interactive learning by integrating artwork creation centered on street signs and signals.

He believes that beyond his artwork, there is more he can do as a Nigerian citizen to foster safety education; hence, he launched the “Safety Round-Table Talk”. This programme is designed to commemorate the United Nations Global Road Safety Week, typically held in May yearly. Due to logistical issues, the maiden edition was moved to September and held on the 14th of September 2024, from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM at the Alliance Française de Lagos / Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi. This year’s edition theme was: “Integrating Safety into Our Culture” (I).

In Nigeria, it is common for people to take safety more seriously during the ember months, but after December, attitudes often become nonchalant and carefree again.

This project aims to be an annual event with a new focus of discussion each year. For this year’s edition, we focused on promoting road safety culture. Hence, our speakers were professionals from the road transport sector. Mr. Danfo believes that by collaborating with the various safety stakeholders, his voice will be amplified, and the right policies will be made for the public’s benefit.

The program was structured into two sections: a panel discussion and public lectures. Our keynote speakers were Prof. Asenime Charles Ojima, Dean of the School of Transportation and Logistics at Lagos State University, represented by Dr. Adenuga Adeolu, and Famoyegun Michael, Operations Manager at Bolt Nigeria. The panel discussion that followed was moderated by Elizabeth Osayande, a freelance journalist with Vanguard Media Limited and the founder of the Female Freelancers Network. Our panelists included Dr. Benjamin Oluwatosin Olowojebutu, National First Vice-President of the Nigerian Medical Association; Philip E. Ogar, psc, MNIM, Chief Route Commander, Ag. Unit Commander RS2.14 Lagos Island of the Federal Road Safety Corps; Mr. Bakare Oki Olalekan, General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, represented by Deputy Manager Mr. Jubril Oshodi; and CSP Sonola Nurudeen of the Nigerian Police Force, Lagos State Area A Command.

As part of their support for promoting safety awareness, the following companies sponsored the event:

On his team, Mr Danfo had: