The Lagos State Government has announced plans to convert the Emergency Relief and Resettlement Camp in Igando, Alimosho Local Government Area, into a full-fledged Institute of Disaster Management.

Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Oluwafemi Oke Osanyintolu, revealed this during the opening ceremony of the 60th yearly youth leadership training camp organised by the Nigerian Red Cross in Igando, Lagos.

The event, themed “On the Side of Humanity,” gathered hundreds of youth participants.

Oke Osanyintolu, who was also honoured as a Platinum Member of the Red Cross, stated that Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu had taken significant steps to strengthen emergency response capacity in the state.

He highlighted the governor’s investment in advanced equipment and support for key emergency agencies.

“The governor is determined to convert this facility in Igando into the first Institute of Disaster Management in Africa. We have already begun working with relevant stakeholders.

Our fire service is playing a leading role, our ambulance services are among the best in the country, and the governor has procured highly advanced multipurpose equipment worth billions of naira for LASEMA.

In October, we will host a national conference involving all 36 states to promote disaster risk reduction,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Red Cross, Dr Victoria Adebola Kolawole, emphasised the importance of humanitarian values.

She said the camp’s theme serves as a powerful reminder to uphold human dignity, show compassion, and reach underserved communities in times of crisis.

“Our youth volunteers are not just leaders in the making; they are central to our work today. That is why we organize this camp every year to train, empower, and inspire them to carry out the humanitarian mission with dedication,” she noted.

Kolawole highlighted that over 500 young people were attending this year’s programme, which includes leadership training, empowerment sessions, and social development activities.

Reflecting on the camp’s legacy, she added, “This programme has positively shaped the lives of many young Nigerians. As our country faces leadership challenges, initiatives like this supported by multiple organisations help groom the next generation of responsible leaders and ambassadors for both the Nigerian Red Cross and society at large.”

She also praised the long-standing partnership between LASEMA and the Nigerian Red Cross, particularly in disaster response efforts, stating that the collaboration has significantly enhanced the impact of their work in Lagos.