NaijAid Urges Government Support to Expand First Aid Training in Nigeria

NaijAid Urges Government Support to Expand First Aid Training in Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria — NaijAid, a UK-based Nigerian charity organization, has appealed to the government for support to broaden its mission of educating Nigerian youth and communities on the critical importance of first aid in managing health-related emergencies. Dr. Kayode Babalola, Chairman of NaijAid, made this request during a recent Safe Life Intervention program for youth held in Lagos.

According to Dr. Babalola, NaijAid, in partnership with Health Aid Charity, an international organization, believes that the seminar will help spread essential knowledge of basic life support skills, empowering young people with first aid techniques that can save lives. Despite being self-funded for over a decade, NaijAid expressed readiness to collaborate with the government to expand these programs nationwide.

“We’ve observed significant gaps in basic life support knowledge among our youth. Equipping them with these skills can reduce unnecessary hospital visits and prevent fatalities in emergencies,” Dr. Babalola said. Participants from various parts of Nigeria attended the event to learn life-saving techniques tailored for those without prior medical knowledge.

Mrs. Lanre Nehan-Babalola, a UK-certified fitness and wellness coach, conducted a session on first aid, covering essential techniques for emergency response before medical help arrives. She emphasized the distinction between primary and secondary assessments, urging society to appreciate the value of first aid rather than relying solely on hospitals for immediate care. 

“Historically, communities practiced first aid at home, often without scientific understanding but with significant benefits,” she explained. “With modernization, however, the habit of basic self-care has waned, leading many to prioritize hospital visits over simple first aid measures.” Mrs. Nehan-Babalola educated participants on recognizing signs that require urgent attention and outlined key actions to take when a victim is unresponsive.

Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, attended the event as a special guest and praised NaijAid’s life-saving initiative. He lauded the interactive nature of the program, emphasizing that it aligns with Lagos State’s THEMES Plus Agenda, which includes goals for social inclusion, youth engagement, and gender equality.

"Health is wealth, and NaijAid’s mission to teach youth first aid skills is invaluable,” said Ogunlende. “By training our youth in these essential skills, we’re ensuring a safer community.”

Encouraging the young participants, Ogunlende urged them to apply and share their new knowledge. “You’ve been given life-saving skills. Use them and talk about them. The goal is to keep our youth engaged and prepared to save lives.”

NaijAid plans to continue expanding its educational efforts and hopes that government support will enable them to reach more communities, creating a culture where first aid knowledge is widespread and accessible to all.