By Clifford Ejenavi
The Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEHPON), has reiterated its commitment towards the promotion of occupational health best practices in the Nigerian workplaces and beyond.
The Society at the second edition of its media parley engagement series with the theme “Amplifying Impact: The Role of the Media in Promoting Occupational Health Practices”, highlighted the key objective, which was to engage media practitioners and stimulate collaboration for the amplification of SOEHPON’s activities.
The media parley was held on Friday June 27, 2025 via zoom.
President of SOEHPON, Dr. Musa Shaibu called on the media for full collaboration and support in achieving the lofty objectives of the Society. He identified the negative impact of health hazards in the informal sector in Nigeria and emphasized that SOEHPON is poised at taking occupational health awareness particularly to the informal sector.
“There’s therefore the need for greater collaboration with the media for increased advocacy for occupational health best practices for a healthier and safer working environment and workers’ wellbeing in Nigeria”, Dr. Shaibu stated.
SOEHPON therefore called on the National Assembly to review the National Occupational Health and Safety Bill of 2012, termed ‘Labour Safety Health and Welfare Law’ which supposed to enforce the counsel for Occupational Health and Safety in Labour Act, which is part of the International Labour Organisation, to embrace enforcement.
While stating emphatically that SOEHPON is committed to help Nigeria grow to become a society of consciousness of laws due to poor enforcement, Dr. Shaibu maintained, “We will continue to advocate and nudge stakeholders in the society to embrace and participate in Occupational Health.”
The Guest Speaker and Marketing and Communications Coordinator with the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM), United States of America (USA), Charlie Peckam, emphasised that occupational health practitioners can help spread the occupational health best practices narrative through fruitful engagement with the media by building media toolkits, sharing compelling stories, and collaborating with journalists to achieve desire results.
Peckam said the media can be used as a strategic tool to promoting occupational health using practical health events. He added that occupational health practitioners should be proactive in shaping the public narrative around worker health and safety.
Present at the event include the National Public Relations Officer, SOEHPON, Dr Charles Babajide Onigbogi; SOEHPON BoT Member, Dr Bamidele Koleowo; Janet Fyock (ACOEM), Prof Janvier Gassana, to mention a few among many others.
