San. Dr. Cyril Babasope Akinyele, PhD.
1st October, 2026
My dear distinguished colleagues, gallant Environmental Health Officers, members of EHOAN Lagos State Chapter,
On behalf of the Executive Council of EHOAN Lagos State, I heartily congratulate every one of you and indeed all Nigerians on the occasion of our nation’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Today, as we celebrate 66 years of our nation’s freedom, strength and resilience, we must reflect not just as citizens, but as custodians of Public Health and protectors of our environment. Nigeria’s greatness will only be realized when our cities are clean, our food is safe, our water is wholesome, and our environment is conducive for all to live.
I am immensely proud of the sacrifices you make daily. Your recent bravery — like the interception of diseased and unwholesome meat on the Ibeju-Lekki – Epe Expressway en route to the night market — is a clear testament that Environmental Health remains the bedrock of preventive health care in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
On this special day, I admonish us all to do more:
1. Let us redouble our commitment to our core mandate — sanitary inspection of premises, food hygiene surveillance, control of communicable diseases, and proper waste management.
2. Let us uphold the ethics and integrity of our noble profession. We must not compromise standards. An unsound food not condemned today can become an epidemic tomorrow.
3. Let us be more visible and proactive in our communities. Let the presence of Environmental Health Officers be felt in every Ministries, parastatals, LGA and LCDA as agents of positive change.
The Lagos State we dream of, and the Nigeria we desire, will not build itself. It is our professional duty to make it a more hygienic, safer, and more conducive environment to live, work, and prosper.
As we celebrate with green-white-green, let us renew our oath to serve with dedication, courage and professionalism.
I wish you all a joyous celebration.
Long live EHOAN Lagos State!
Long live Lagos State!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
God bless you all.
Signed:
San. Dr. Cyril Babasope Akinyele, PhD.
The Servant Leader, EHOAN Lagos State Chapter
