The Centre for Media Advocacy (CMA), a civil society organisation, has commended the management of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) for its efforts to improve fire safety, staff welfare, operational efficiency and protection of critical assets across the country.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mahmud Bello, the organisation said its assessment of the service showed improvements in maintenance, manpower development, equipment procurement, fire safety awareness and institutional performance under the leadership of the Controller-General, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi.
CMA said the management had strengthened public awareness campaigns on fire prevention and disaster management, while providing training and modern equipment to improve the capacity of personnel.
The organisation also noted improved staff morale, which it attributed to the prompt payment of salaries and allowances, promotions and increased opportunities for professional training within and outside Nigeria.
It commended the appointment of Ijeoma Achi-Okidi as the first female Deputy Controller-General of the service, describing it as a demonstration of the management’s commitment to merit, professionalism and gender inclusion.
According to CMA, the service has also expanded collaborations with organisations, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and other sister agencies, to strengthen professional development and emergency response capacity.
The group further praised the FFS for acquiring firefighting vehicles and equipment, upgrading the Federal Fire Academy in Sheda, Abuja, and providing practical fire safety training to schools, civil society organisations, faith-based groups and government agencies.
CMA also commended the service for its response to major fire incidents in Kano, at the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development and other locations across the country.
The organisation welcomed the establishment of a task force on public and private building audits, saying the initiative would help identify fire risks, assess compliance and improve safety standards in buildings nationwide.
CMA urged the Federal Government to increase funding for the FFS to support training, equipment procurement, manpower development and public fire safety campaigns.
It also called on individuals, businesses and civil society organisations to partner with the service in reducing fire incidents, while urging Nigerians to promptly report fire emergencies to enable faster response and minimise loss of lives and property.