The Federal Government has called on wealthy Nigerians, philanthropists, business leaders and corporate organisations to invest in establishing fire stations across the country, saying firefighting is a collective responsibility.

The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Adeyemi Samuel Olumode, made the appeal at a national stakeholders’ summit on fire safety in Abuja. He said Nigeria needed more strategically located fire stations to bring emergency response closer to communities and reduce response times.

Olumode cited the Offa Descendant Association Fire Station, Oyo Town Fire Station, Idanre Fire Station, Bonny Island Fire Station and Kugbo Fire Station as examples of facilities established through contributions from individuals, communities and organisations.

He described such investments as contributions towards protecting lives and property rather than simply acts of philanthropy.

The Federal Fire Service also highlighted some of its achievements over the past year, including the rehabilitation of 40 firefighting appliances, provision of two modern firefighting appliances and more than 2,000 pieces of personal protective equipment.

The service has also trained more than 700 cadet officers in basic firefighting, with the officers subsequently deployed across its commands.

Olumode said the Service was strengthening its specialised capabilities through counter-terrorism training conducted with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the armed forces, while work continues to upgrade the National Fire Academy.

He also urged members of the public to assist firefighters during emergencies by clearing access routes, avoiding unnecessary crowds and sharing verified information with emergency responders.

The summit also featured the induction of 37 Federal Fire Service public relations officers from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory into the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations as part of efforts to strengthen the Service’s communication and public education capacity.