Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has reacted to the recent fire disasters in Lagos State, mourning the victims and calling for an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s emergency response and fire safety systems.
The pan-Igbo organisation expressed deep grief over the fire outbreak at the Great Nigerian Insurance Building on Lagos Island, which claimed lives and destroyed properties and goods valued at several billions of naira.
A statement signed by Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, said the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuta Mbata, conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, affected business owners and all those impacted by the tragedy, describing the incident as painful and devastating.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide deeply mourns the victims of the recent fire outbreak at the Great Nigerian Insurance Building on Lagos Island, which claimed lives and led to the destruction of properties and goods worth several billion naira,” Mbata said.
The organisation also expressed concern over another fire incident at the Nigerian Army Shopping Complex, popularly known as Arena Market, Bolade–Oshodi, which occurred in the early days of the new year.
According to Ohanaeze, the repeated occurrence of such fire disasters highlights serious gaps in emergency preparedness, market safety standards and firefighting infrastructure across the country.
“These recurring fire disasters highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive review and strengthening of emergency response infrastructure, fire safety preparedness and market safety mechanisms across the country,” the statement noted.
Ohanaeze stressed that markets are the economic lifeline of millions of Nigerians and must be adequately protected through proactive planning, the provision of functional firefighting facilities and effective coordination among emergency agencies.
The organisation called on authorities at all levels of government to treat the Lagos fire tragedies as a wake-up call and take immediate steps to prevent future occurrences. It specifically advocated the mandatory inclusion of fire containment features in the construction of market stalls nationwide.
“Markets remain the lifeline of millions of Nigerians and must be adequately protected,” Mbata added, urging decisive action to avert avoidable losses in the future.
Ohanaeze concluded by praying for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the tragic incidents.
