By Seun Ibiyemi
To catch them young and reduce water phobia among Lagosians, the Lagos State Waterways Authority LASWA on Monday commenced a week-long water safety class and swimming Training for pupils in the riverine communities of Lagos.
In a statement made available to Nigerian NewsDirect, the General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, stated that the swimming training is the 2nd edition of one of LASWA’s advocacy programs tagged the ‘Lagos Water Savvy Kids Program.’
He also said that LASWA has partnered with the Dolphin Swim School, a premier swim program serving women and children in Lagos state.
Together LASWA and DSS aim to instill water confidence in school pupils by teaching them theoretical and practical knowledge on waterways safety, swimming skills, and basic survival techniques in an emergency.
One hundred students from four public schools in Riverine Communities at the Ojo axis of Lagos were selected to participate in this year’s edition. Salvation Army Primary School, Ikare, Unity Grammar School Ikare, Local Authority Primary School Ibasa, local authority and Salvation Army Primary School Ibeshe.
The General Manager further explained that the participating pupils at the event would transfer the acquired knowledge to other colleagues in their various schools under the supervision of their school teachers.
With this training, school children using the waterways will be more confident, be conscious of their safety, and be self-reliant in an emergency.