By ABDULFATAI ROBIU, Ile-Ife

The Artisans, Peasants, and Traders Association of Nigeria (APTAN) has reiterated its dedication to advancing the welfare, safety, and health of Nigerian artisans and entrepreneurs through education, professional development, and community service.

The commitment was restated on Sunday during the association’s 2025 Annual Seminar, held at the Oba Okunade Sijuwade Memorial Hall, Enuwa, Ile-Ife.

The event, themed “Occupational Safety and Health Management for Artisans and Entrepreneurs,” brought together craftsmen, traders, community leaders, and professionals from across Osun State and beyond.

In addition to the seminar sessions, APTAN organized a free medical outreach for residents of Ile-Ife, providing free health checks such as blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, as well as medical consultations for various health challenges.

The initiative, according to the organizers, was designed to promote a culture of health consciousness and safety among workers and the general public.

Declaring the seminar open, the Osun State Chairman of APTAN, Comrade Qosim Olawusi, expressed profound gratitude to Almighty Allah and acknowledged the presence of dignitaries, including representatives of the Ooni of Ife and the Chief Imam of Ife.

“Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I greet everyone here today because we are all special individuals,” Olawusi began.

He described the annual gathering as an avenue for self-assessment and professional improvement.

“This programme is our way of evaluating our progress each year, identifying where we need to improve, become better, and make necessary adjustments,” he added.

The event featured notable personalities such as Ustaz Taofiq Suleiman, APTAN South-West Leader; Engineer Ibrohim Fadipe, Guest Lecturer; Alhaji (Oba) Asimiyu Elufowora, Obameto of Ife Oòyè; Oba Abdulyekeen Fakowajo, Faloona I; Alhaji Adam Adisa, Chairman of the Occasion; Sheikh Qomardeen Bello, Mufti of APTAN; Ustaz Saheed Adegoke, Alhaja Latifat Agboola, Alhaja Omisakin Sibgatullah, and Alhaja Adebayo Majeedah, among others.

In his goodwill message, Alhaji Adam Adisa emphasized the importance of morality and discipline in business practices.

“Every Muslim should be a good ambassador of Islam in their dealings with others. Our character is our identity,” he advised, urging artisans to uphold ethical standards in their trades.

Delivering the keynote lecture, Engineer Ibrohim Fadipe, an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University and a member of both the Nigerian Institute of Environmental Engineers (NIEE) and the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), highlighted the urgent need for workplace safety and health awareness.

Citing statistics from the International Labour Organization (ILO), Fadipe revealed that an estimated 7,500 people suffer workplace injuries daily, with about 6,500 dying from work-related diseases and another 1,000 losing their lives in occupational accidents.

“These are not just numbers; they represent fathers, mothers, and breadwinners. Safety should never be taken for granted. It begins with personal responsibility, proper planning, and adherence to safety protocols,” he said.

He cautioned that negligence often leads to preventable tragedies, adding that “safety doesn’t come by chance, it is achieved through awareness, training, and discipline.”

The event climaxed with the presentation of Awards of Appreciation to distinguished individuals for their remarkable contributions to the association’s growth and community development.

Awardees included Alhaji (Oba) Asimiyu Elufowora, Obameto of Ife Oòyè; Alhaji Morufu Akande, Director of MORAK Nigeria Enterprises, Opa, Agric, Ile-Ife; and Aare Kolawole AbdulAzeez, Managing Director, Oodua 90.9 FM, Ile-Ife.

APTAN reaffirmed its mission to continue empowering artisans and traders through education, welfare initiatives, and programs that promote professional excellence, economic growth, and community well-being.