Nov. 2, 2021

… Donates Life Jackets to School Children, Others in Ojo

Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has concluded the second edition of its Lagos Water Savvy Kids Programme (LWSKP) week-long water safety and swimming training exercise for school pupils in the Riverine Communities of the State.

The programme, which was designed to boost safety on Lagos inland waterways, had commenced on Monday, 25th October and ended on Friday, 29th October 2021, with a grand finale held at Ibeshe Waterfront, Ojo Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment towards the safety of all waterways users in the State, especially school children.

He pointed out that the main focus of the training was to reduce water phobia among the pupils, thereby instilling confidence in them as they use the waterways daily to their various schools.

The General Manager further explained that the programme served as an avenue of bringing governance to the grassroots as well as showing that the government is not leaving anyone behind in her bid to achieve a Greater Lagos.

A Board member of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Dayo Israel, representing the Chairman, Mr. Wahab Alawiye-King, thanked the Lagos State Waterways Authority for organising the event, noting that it is also part of schools’ curriculum in Lagos State.

He also commended the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for granting LASWA the approval to execute the laudable programme.

A Facilitator at the event, Mrs. Aderoju Ope-Ajayi, CEO of Dolphin Swim School (DSS), stated that it was a pleasure partnering with the Lagos State Waterways Authority and SUBEB on the Water Savvy Kids project.

She said teaching Water Safety and Drowning Prevention is one of the core passions of DSS, saying: “The statistics behind child drowning are high and DSS aims to work on these projects to enable Children understand Water Safety. Drowning is very preventable, and it is a core responsibility of guardians of these children to educate and ensure they know how to be water safe”.

While noting that the children had a very enlightening time learning about water safety, its importance and techniques, Mrs. Ope-Ajayi expressed her appreciation to the instructors and the team from Dolphin Swim School for their dedication to the cause.

The highpoint of the programme was the demonstration of acquired skills by the school children to the audience while certificates of participation were issued to all attendees with hundreds of life jackets donated to all participating schools, teachers and guests.