The Kwara State Government has announced that it is at an advanced stage of launching an emergency toll line aimed at improving rapid response to emergencies across the state.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Abeeb Oredunni.

The State Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, made this known whilst receiving officials of the National Orientation Agency, North Central Zone, led by its Zonal Coordinator, Priscilla Gondoalour, during a courtesy visit to her office.

She explained that the proposed toll line would integrate key first responder agencies to ensure prompt and coordinated emergency interventions across Kwara.

"The toll line will integrate key first responder agencies, including the State Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Police, State Ambulance Services, and the State Emergency Management Agency, to ensure prompt and coordinated emergency interventions," she said.

Bolanle reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening public awareness and deepening social reorientation through strategic collaboration with relevant federal agencies.

"We remain committed to strengthening public awareness and deepening social reorientation through strategic collaboration with relevant federal agencies," she added.

She commended the NOA for its efforts in promoting behavioural change and national values, stressing that effective communication goes beyond mere information dissemination.

"Effective communication goes beyond information dissemination; it also includes ensuring that messages are properly received, understood, and accepted by the people," the Commissioner stated.

She described the proposed collaboration with the agency as timely, particularly in addressing challenges related to public understanding of government programmes.

"This collaboration is timely, especially in addressing the gap between public awareness and acceptability of government policies and programmes," she noted.

Olukoju further said the ministry has continued to adopt inclusive communication strategies, including the use of indigenous languages, to ensure wider reach, especially at the grassroots level.

"We have continued to adopt inclusive communication strategies, including the use of indigenous languages, to ensure that government messages resonate with citizens across all levels, particularly at the grassroots," she explained.

She also expressed support for the proposed joint committee aimed at sensitising residents on the roles of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as educating citizens on how to access and benefit from their services.

"We support the proposed committee that will sensitise residents on the roles of Federal MDAs within the state and educate the public on how to access and benefit from their services," Olukoju said.

The Commissioner disclosed that the Ministry is advancing initiatives focused on social re-engineering, particularly amongst young people, to promote positive values and responsible citizenship.

"The Ministry is advancing initiatives targeted at social re-engineering, particularly amongst younger populations, to promote positive values and responsible citizenship," she added.

Earlier, Princess Gondoalour stated that the visit was to strengthen collaboration with the Ministry and enhance public sensitisation efforts across the state.

"The visit is aimed at strengthening collaboration with the Ministry and enhancing public sensitisation efforts across the state," she said.

She revealed that the agency is proposing a joint working committee to create awareness about the activities, locations, and benefits of Federal MDAs in Kwara.

"We are proposing the establishment of a joint working committee that will focus on creating awareness about the activities of Federal MDAs in Kwara State, their locations, and the benefits they offer to citizens," Gondoalour explained.

Gondoalour added that the initiative is designed to promote transparency, build public trust, and encourage citizens' participation in governance.

"This initiative is designed to promote transparency, build public trust, and encourage citizens' participation in governance by ensuring that government activities are better understood at the community level," she said.

She also commended the Kwara state government for its proactive approach to governance, particularly in addressing security challenges and promoting development across the state.

Emergency toll lines are widely used across many states in Nigeria to provide residents with quick access to security and rescue services during emergencies such as accidents, fires, medical crises, and security threats.

However, response coordination has often been challenged by fragmented communication amongst agencies.