LAGOS/Nigeria: The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, has described the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as a strategic and indispensable partner in disaster management and public advocacy in Lagos State.
Oke-Osanyintolu made the remarks on Wednesday in Lagos during a courtesy visit to NAN, where he acknowledged the agency’s critical role in information dissemination, noting that its reportage has strengthened emergency preparedness and response across the state.
He said NAN had consistently provided positive, factual, and timely reports that help Nigerians better understand disaster management activities, while also reducing misinformation, false alarms, and negative narratives capable of undermining emergency response efforts.
According to him, NAN’s sustained advocacy and public sensitisation have significantly contributed to reducing mortality and morbidity associated with emergencies in Lagos State, adding that the agency played a pivotal role in projecting emergency management initiatives at a time when such efforts were largely unfamiliar to the public.
The LASEMA boss expressed pride in NAN’s professionalism, describing the organisation as a “home” to disaster management stakeholders, and appreciated its continued support in strengthening public awareness, accountability, and citizen engagement on safety issues.
He reaffirmed LASEMA’s commitment to deepening collaboration with NAN to further enhance effective disaster management, risk communication, and public enlightenment in the state.
Earlier, the Acting Head of Lagos Operations at NAN, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, expressed appreciation to Oke-Osanyintolu for the visit, assuring him of the agency’s commitment to objectivity, professionalism, and inclusivity in emergency reportage.
Omowole further pledged a robust partnership with LASEMA, aimed at protecting lives and property of Lagos residents while promoting environmental sustainability through accurate and responsible reporting.
