Adeboye advocates wider First-aid training
By Mustafa Abubakar
The Provost of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. Muhammed A. N. Adeboye, has advocated wider access to first aid education and training, describing the skill as a fundamental life saving competency that should be accessible to everyone.
Prof. Adeboye made the call penultimate Saturday(September 12, 2026) in his message to mark the World First Aid Day 2026. The day is usually celebrated globally every year on the second Saturday of September.
The Provost stressed that emergencies could occur anywhere and at any time, including homes, schools, workplaces, roads, places of worship and communities, noting that the few minutes before the arrival of professional medical assistance could be critical.
According to him, the ability of a bystander to recognise an emergency, remain calm and provide appropriate first aid could significantly influence the outcome and, in some circumstances, make the difference between life and death.
The Provost said that the responsibilities of the College of Health Sciences extend beyond producing competent healthcare professionals to contributing to the creation of a health literate and emergency ready society.
He disclosed that the College was looking towards developing a structured programme to empower members of the University community and, ultimately, the wider public with practical knowledge and skills in effective first aid.
“The vision is to ensure that students, academic and non-teaching staff and other members of our community are equipped with the confidence and competence to provide appropriate assistance during common emergencies while awaiting professional care,” he said.
Prof. Adeboye said such training would promote basic life saving competencies, including appropriate responses to cardiac arrest, choking, severe bleeding, injuries, burns and other emergencies.
He expressed hope that first aid knowledge would become a practical life skill rather than knowledge confined to the classroom or healthcare profession.
He encouraged members of the University community to embrace opportunities for first aid education and training, while commending healthcare professionals, emergency responders, volunteers, humanitarian organisations and others promoting the culture of saving lives through first aid education.
“Our vision is simple: a community in which everyone knows what to do, when to do it and how to do it safely when an emergency occurs,” Adeboye said.
He added that the collective commitment of the College to first aid education would help build a safer, healthier and more resilient University community and society.
