Cornerstone Foundation commits to improved safety in schools

As part of its commitment to ensure safety of students in schools around the country, Cornerstone Insurance Plc Foundation in partnership with Golden Hour Medics Limited have organised a medical emergence programme to train students  on basic life support and First Aid techniques for emergencies such as; unconsciousness, cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), choking while eating, sudden seizures, ingestion of poisonous or toxic substances, dislocation and fractures, bleeding from cuts and stabs, animal bites and stings.

Ademola Mafikunyomi, head brand management, Cornerstone Insurance plc while speaking at the programme held at Fountain Height Secondary School, Surulere, Lagos said the aim of the company is to consistently provide new bold value through needs-based products and exceptional quality service to delight both corporate and individual customers.

Mafikunyomi disclosed that in 2015 the company embarked on the “Safe Route 2 School CSR Project” to provide safety infrastructure along accident prone school routes and establishment of Safety Clubs in schools where pupils were taught preventive basic safety tips with the support of the FRSC.

According to him, “Safe route to school project hopes to create a safe haven from home to school and back. In a bigger way, it is all about protecting our future and our future is embedded in students because they are the leaders of tomorrow”.

He noted that the medical training will not only sensitise the minds of the students, it will also raise their consciousness with respect to safety not just theirs, but that of their peers.

Aside from the training, Mafikunyomi noted that the company also provided more safety infrastructures like reflective safety signs and illuminating zebra crossings along school corridors and accident prone school routes to reduce incidence of student causality on the road.

“We believe information is essential, when the students are educated on how to safe life, they would be able to take prompt action in critical situations. That is the essence of this medical emergency” he added.

Ugochukwu Echendu, director, Golden Hour Medics Limited, a training outfit that specialises in medical emergencies noted that the absence of proper data have made it impossible to track the figures of casualties that occur as a result of medical emergency in Nigeria.

Echendu reveals that the essence of the training is to equip students and teachers with basic knowledge of what to do in a case of emergency. “This training will further equip them to apply the requisite medical procedure to a person suffering from fractures, unconsciousness, poisoning, chocking in order to keep the person alive before they arrive at the hospital”.

He commended the management of Cornerstone Insurance Plc for making the training possible stressing that this collaboration will go a long way because it involves safety of lives.

On her part, Nneka Osisiogu, Vice Principal, Administration and Guidance Counsellor, Fountain Height Secondary School, Surulere Lagos said the training that the students have received will go a long way in their lives stressing that it will help the students no matter the profession they going to pursue in future.

“We are happy, we appreciate Cornerstone Insurance Plc Foundation this is a rare opportunity and the fact that this school has been picked for the launching will benefit both students and teachers,” she said.