Covenant University recently hosted a fire safety training program designed to enhance the University's internal community's preparedness for fire emergencies. The event took place from Tuesday, March 25th to Wednesday, March 26th, 2025, at the CUCRID Auditorium, and featured professional firefighters from the Ogun State Fire Service.

This crucial program, focused on fire prevention and the impartation of essential skills to combat fire hazards, drew the attention of the entire Covenant University community. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy A. Anake, alongside other members of the university’s management, warmly welcomed the guest firefighters to the program.

In his opening remarks, Professor Anake expressed his gratitude to the Ogun State Fire Service team, led by Pastor Japhet Odukoya, for agreeing to visit the University and leading this important program aimed at addressing fire risks. He highlighted the destructive potential of fires and emphasized the importance of being prepared to handle such incidents before they spiral out of control.

The Vice-Chancellor also shared how Covenant University has always prioritized safety measures from the very beginning. He noted that this fire drill exercise was not the first of its kind at the institution, as affirmed by the firefighters. Professor Anake encouraged the attendees to stay attentive throughout the training to fully absorb the lessons on fire safety.

He took the opportunity to commend the Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication Africa Centre of Excellence (CApIC-ACE), led by Professor Emeka Iweala, for spearheading this initiative. The center, supported by Professor Obinna Nwiyi, played a key role in bringing the fire drill to fruition as part of its broader outreach efforts. Professor Anake promised continued support for the center, which aims to address pressing societal challenges.

During his own remarks, Professor Iweala explained the mandate of CApIC-ACE, emphasizing that the center had trained a large number of professionals in the bioinformatics research cluster, who are working on solutions for diseases such as cancer and malaria. These researchers, drawn from countries like Cameroon, Ghana, and Kenya, have gained valuable knowledge to take back to their respective nations. He also highlighted that the sponsors of CApIC-ACE had made provisions for the fire drill, recognizing its importance in preventing potential disasters and safeguarding lives and property.

Professor Iweala further outlined the center’s mission to nurture a critical mass of indigenous African scientists with expertise in bio-informatics, molecular biology, and information and communication engineering. This will enable them to lead impactful research and collaborate with institutions across Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Pastor Odukoya, who led the Ogun State Fire Service team, then took the stage to educate the audience on fire safety principles. He explained that fire safety encompasses proactive measures to prevent outbreaks, protect life and property, and respond effectively when fires occur. Pastor Odukoya provided an in-depth lecture that lasted over three hours, covering topics such as fire prevention, firefighting techniques, and safe procedures for handling fire-related emergencies.

The event included a practical demonstration using a real fire truck, showing how firefighters tackle fires in real-world situations. Additionally, participants received hands-on training on how to properly use fire extinguishers to contain fires at their early stages.

By the end of the two-day program, the entire Covenant University community participated in a simulated fire drill. The training provided invaluable skills that would be crucial in the event of a real fire emergency, ensuring that participants know how to respond appropriately and safely in such situations. The lessons learned will undoubtedly help everyone be better prepared to handle domestic fire emergencies should they arise.