As part of efforts to prevent boat mishaps and strengthen safety on inland waterways, the Federal Government has donated 3,500 life jackets to the Ogun State Government, with riverine communities in Yewa and Ijebu regions among the targeted beneficiaries.
The donation was officially flagged off during a ceremony held at the Conference Hall of the Ogun State Ministry of Transportation, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The event marked a major step in improving safety for residents who rely on water transportation for their daily livelihoods.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Director of Marine Services, Dr. Mercy Ilori, said the life jackets were part of a larger campaign to create awareness around water safety and reduce the frequency of waterway accidents.
He emphasized the need for strict enforcement of safety protocols, urging boat operators and ferry associations to ensure all passengers wear life jackets before boarding.
“Ogun State’s expansive network of rivers and creeks—particularly in Ijebu Waterside and Yewa areas—plays a vital role in the mobility, trade, and cultural exchange of residents. These waterways serve as lifelines, connecting communities within the state and to neighbouring countries,” he stated.
In his remarks, Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, commended the Federal Government for the initiative and described it as a lifesaving intervention aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for safety and prosperity in Nigeria.
“Today’s event is a reflection of that commitment — a life-saving gesture to thousands of our riverine and coastal communities, marked by the distribution of an initial tranche of 1,000 life jackets to Ogun State,” Governor Abiodun noted.
He reiterated that water safety is a right, not a privilege, and affirmed the state’s continued commitment to developing marine infrastructure and supporting the blue economy under the ISEYA development agenda.
The Chairman of the Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Transportation, Hon. Igbalaye Ayodele, also spoke at the event. He advised community members and transport stakeholders to utilize the life jackets properly and not abandon them, stressing that safety must be taken seriously by all.
The donated life jackets will be distributed across riverine communities in phases, with special focus on active waterways users in areas like Ilase, Iwoye, and Ipokia in Yewaland, as well as communities in Ijebu Waterside.
