Founder, AfriSafe Award, Femi Dasilva (4th left) presenting the 2024 AfriSafe “Best in Safety Performance Power GenCo Award” to the CEO, Egbin Power, Mokhtar Bounour; flanked by (L-R) Head, Corp. Comms & Branding, Felix Ofulue; Head of HR, Gabriel Nkanga; Ag. CFO, Yetunde Sorinola and Head, QHSE, Julius Akpong, all of Egbin Power.
Egbin Power has solidified its position as a leader in the industry by winning the “Best in Safety Performance in Power Generation Company” award at the 2024 AfriSafe Awards, which took place in Livingstone, Zambia.

In a competitive nomination category featuring other leading power generation firms across Africa, Egbin Power emerged victorious due to its implementation of various safety initiatives aimed at enhancing its safety culture.

Among these initiatives were the 720 LACEUPS program, the Technical Safety Colloquium (TSC), and the What Have You Done for Egbin Station Today (WHYDFEST) campaigns, among other efforts undertaken by the company.

Femi Dasilva, the founder and organizer of the AfriSafe Award, highlighted Egbin Power’s steadfast commitment to safety excellence as a key factor in its recognition. “The company’s ongoing dedication to fostering a safe and sustainable work environment has established a new standard for the power generation sector in Africa. This well-earned accolade reflects Egbin Power’s relentless pursuit of excellence and adherence to high safety standards,” Dasilva stated.

The 2024 AfriSafe Award ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Zambian government ministers, representatives from Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, industry leaders, and esteemed safety professionals from over 24 African nations.

In response to receiving the AfriSafe Award, Egbin Power’s CEO, Mokhtar Bounour, credited the achievement to the dedication and collaboration of the entire staff, stating: “This award is a reflection of the unwavering commitment and hard work of the board, management, and employees of Egbin Power. Our focus on safety is not merely a slogan; it is a fundamental value that influences every facet of our operations.”

This recognition reinforces our commitment to enhancing a culture of safety, and we take great pride in our team's achievements. Through our collaborative efforts, we have established a new benchmark for safety excellence within the power generation sector. We remain dedicated to ongoing improvement and are resolute in our goal of achieving a zero-harm workplace, Bounour stated.

In alignment with its dedication to safety excellence, Egbin Power recently hosted its annual QHSE Week, themed ‘Egbin DNA: Building a Culture of Safety and Sustainability in the Workplace.’

During this week-long celebration, employees engaged in various activities, including family safety moments featuring aerobics and practical training sessions led by officials from the Nigerian Red Cross, who provided valuable insights on first-aid and firefighting techniques. The event also included presentations from different departments focused on fostering a Safety Culture within the organization.

The event was graced by a delegation from the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), headed by National President High Chief Dr. Stephen Awori Udezi, along with Mr. Sola Ogunleye, chairman of the Lagos branch. Other notable attendees included Governing Board members Dr. Monica Nwosu, Dr. Lucky Oderhohwo, Registrar Mr. Ben Modebe, and other executives from the Lagos branch.

The highlight of the 2024 QHSE Week was the Grand Finale, during which the company introduced its new Firefighting Truck and recognized outstanding departments and employees who have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing Egbin Power’s safety management system while maintaining high safety standards in their duties.

Egbin Power’s annual QHSE Week is a comprehensive program organized by the QHSE Department aimed at promoting a culture of safety and driving operational excellence throughout the plant.

The keynote lecture was presented by Jamiu Badmos, the Visioner of the QHSE Leadership Academy, who elaborated on the initiatives that illustrate a sustainable safety culture. He emphasized the importance of the concepts of ‘safetainability’ and ‘safegagement’ as essential elements in the journey toward a sustainable safety culture.

Regarding the annual QHSE Week, Julius Akpong, Head of QHSE at Egbin Power, remarked that the organization has a well-established safety culture and an effective management system that directs both employees and operational practices.

“At Egbin Power, we have cultivated a robust safety culture and have implemented a systematic approach to occupational safety management over the years. Ensuring workplace safety is a fundamental priority and integral to our core values: Safety, Professionalism, Integrity & Discipline, Commitment to Stakeholders, Environmental Consciousness, and Sustainability (SPICES).”

ISPON recognized Egbin Power’s Chairman, Board of Directors, and CEO with Special Recognition awards for their unwavering commitment to safety, highlighted by recent accomplishments such as achieving triple ISO certifications, enhancing safety measures within the company, and acquiring a new firefighting truck, among other significant investments.

Bounour was honored as a professional Fellow of ISPON, with the formal recognition to be presented at the upcoming induction ceremony of the Institute. Concurrently, Dr. Wilson Arikpo, the Governor General of the World Safety Organisation (WSO), appointed Bounour as a Safety and Emergency Response Ready (SafERR) Ambassador. Additionally, recognition awards were bestowed upon the CEO, the Board of Directors, and the Head of QHSE for their exemplary QHSE management and readiness for emergency response.

ISPON took this opportunity to commend the Board of Directors and the management team of Egbin Power for their dedicated leadership in safety and their commitment to operating a sustainable organization.