Without any sense of delusions of grandeur, Nigeria remains at the forefront of producing many exceptional African giants who are the champions of the safety industry today.
Such is Engineer Martin Agbili, the Anambra State Director of Fire Service who was recently appointed Regional Cordinator of Africa for International Firefighters Day (IFFD).
Founder of International Fire Fighters Day (IFFD), Mrs. JJ Edmondson in her statement praised Engr. Martins for his diligency in executing his service duties.
She said “thank you Agbili Martins Agility. You continued to promote and advocate International Firefighters’ Day amongst the fire services of the African continent. We are honored to have someone of your passion and dedication on board”.
Since 2017 when he assumed office as the Head of the Fire Department in Anambra State, Agbili has championed several positive developments in safety in fire service in Anambra state.
“The good he has done has manifested in the lives of Anambra Firefighters, Ndi Anambra, Nigeria and the world at large as far as Fire Service and fire safety is concerned.”, a well wisher who would not hide his priases for the Safety professional wrote on Social media.
Agbili, a native of Ogbunka in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State was born to Late Comrade Ferdinand Mbonu Agbili and Mrs. Patricia Agbili.
Fondly called ‘Agility’ by friends, Agbili is an exemplary leader, a humanitarian, electrical/safety engineer (COREN Registered) and an agile career firefighter, with twenty-three (23) years working experience in fire fighting, fire safety management and humanitarian services. He was employed into Anambra State Fire Service in 1997 and he is still in active service.
One of his most unforgettable moments in Fire Service was on 3rd July, 2000, when he took his biggest risk as a firefighter/rescuer and entered inside a pit latrine, and rescued a baby that was thrown inside there. He has acquired a lot of experience and certifications in fire fighting, fire safety management and Health, Safety & Environment.
Martin Agbili is also a Fire Safety Management Consultant and a Certified Management Consultant (CMC). He has Diploma in Project Management and Masters Degree in Disaster Risk Management. His educational background in Nigeria were from: Richard’s street Primary School, Asata, Enugu; Colliery Comprehensive Secondary School; Ngwo Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Despite his relentless service over the years, Agbili is still serving various organisations in different leadership capacities. These includes: Regional Coordinator for Africa, International Fire Fighters Day (IFFD); National Vice Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE) and Chairman, The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Awka Branch.
Martin Agbili’s unwavering contribitution to the safety industry has earned him a fellow and membership of more than fifteen (15) professional organisations within and outside Nigeria which include; Fellow, Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE); Fellow, Emergency, Crisis & Disaster Risk Management Institute (ECRMI); Fellow, Corporate Institute Risk & Safety Management (CIRSM); Fellow, Institute of Management Consultants (IMC); Member, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN); Member, Nigerian Institution of Electrical, Electronics Engineers (NIEEE); Member, Fire Protection Association of Nigeria (FPAN); Member, National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI); Member, The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE); Member, International Association of Engineers (IAENG); Member, International Association of Black Professional Firefighters (IABPF); Member, International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI)
Member, Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON); Member, Society of Professional Disaster Risk Managers of Nigeria (SOPDRIMN); Member, International Institute of Aviation and Shipping Technology, Nigeria (NIAST); Member, Junior Chamber International (JCI) and Member, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN)
Apart from being a Fire Chief, Martin Agbili also finds delight in writing, reading, researching and teaching. He has delivered lectures relating to fire safety in various public places, seminars, workshops and conferences, and, he has also some reputable journal articles on fire safety management to his credit. His major creative outputs as an author are two (2) fire books, Rudiments of fire fighting, safety & prevention and Fire Safety for Children: A Guide.
Martin Agbili has extraordinary qualities and has established colossus in his field and the best always in the crowd. He is not only an intellectual, a technical guru and a renowned service provider and a lover of children. He is also blissfully married to his beautiful, beloved and hard working wife, Mrs. Chiamaka Nkiruka Agbili (OMARICHA-AGILITY as he fondly calls her) and blessed with promising children.
Since 2001, Martin Agbili has earned himself thirty four (34) awards for his contribution to humanity and the safety industry. He is an highly esteemed nominee for the Africa most prestigious safety award; AfriSAFE 2019 and was among the Top 10 most admired safety personality of 2019.
