By Isqil Najim
On Monday 11 March 2024, the erudite Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Chukwuma sworn in new Permanent Secretaries into the State Civil Service. one of them is our own Engr Martin Agbili, who we fondly called Fire Chief because of his ultra dedication to fire prevention as well as his position as the Chief Fire Officer, Anambra, A position he held with such much gusto, passion and dedication and received nearly hundreds of awards (locally and international) for his contributions to safety, fire prevention and other humanitarian services.
Engr Agbili is also one of our constant supporters at MyEngineers. His skills and professional guides have helped us many times to serve our readers.
Fondly called AGILITY/EZE-OKU by friends, Engr. Martin Onyedikachukwu Agbili is a Doctor of Science in Engineering and Project Management. He is a glowing expert in fire fighting operations, safety management systems, fire safety management, disaster risk management and security management in Nigeria with track records. He is an exemplary leader, electrical/safety engineer (COREN/NSE Registered) in Nigeria and an agile career Firefighter with twenty-seven (27) years working experience.
Born into the family of Late Ogbuefi Ferdinand Mbonu Agbili and Mrs. Patricia Agbili, Martin hails from Ogbunka in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Martin had his first degree in Electrical Engineering and majored in power and machines. Martin has a Diploma in Project Management. He has Masters Degree in Disaster Risk Management (DRM). He has Masters in Business Administration (MBA). From the Institute of French Petroleum (IFP), France, Martin acquired MOOC Oil and Gas (Exploration to Distribution). He is also a graduate of Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) where obtained a certificate in Administration. He also has Bachelors Degree in Security and Safety Management.
Martin Agbili is also a Fire Safety Management Professional/Consultant, a Certified Management Consultant, a Disaster Risk Manager, a Certified Incident Commander, a Certified Physical Security Manager, a Certified Private Investigator, a Certified Security Supervisor, a Certified Leadership Coach, Certified Intelligence Analysts, Fraud and Forensic Investigator, and a Certified Security Management Practitioner.
He was awarded a Doctor of Development and Peace by International Diplomatic Organization. He was also awarded a Doctor of Humanity by Prixton Church and University, USA.
He was employed into Anambra State Fire Service in 1997. Until this recent appointment, as a Permanent Secretary in Anambra State, He was the Fire Chief of Anambra State Fire 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, safety management systems, Security and HSE.
On 4th May, 2020, Martin Agbili was appointed the Africa Continent Regional Coordinator for International Fire Fighters Day. In March 2021, Martin Agbili received and International recognition as he was appointed a World Peace Ambassador (WPA).
On 11th May, 2021, Chief Martin became the first and only Nigerian Fire Chief to be admitted into the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).
As a soundly founded intellectual and a leader, in the recent days, he has served and still serving various organisations in different leadership capacities. Martin Agbili’s leadership capacities are as follows:
In Fire Service/Civil Service;
2024 – Date: Permanent Secretary
2021 – Date: Secretary General of the Association of State Fire Chiefs/Directors of Fire Service in Nigeria
2017 – 2024: Fire Chief /Anambra State Fire Service
2015 – 2017: Deputy Fire Chief/Commandant, Training School
2012 – 2015: Officer In-charge of Training, Sensitization & Public Fire Education
2006 – 2012: Officer In-charge of HSE Regulation & Risk Compliance for Petrol Station/LPG Plants
2002 – 2006: Fire Risk Reduction/Safety Officer
1997 – 2002: Watch Officer/ Firefighter/Rescue Officer
In Engineering Sector;
2010 – 2013: Secretary, Editorial Committee for Awka Engineers Journal
2011 – 2013: Assistant Secretary, The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Awka Branch
2015 – 2018: Technical Secretary, The Nigerian Institution of Electrical Electronics Engineers, Awka
2015 – 2017: Publicity Secretary, The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Awka Branch
2017 – 2019: Pioneer Chairman, The Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers, Anambra Chapter
2017 – 2021: National Vice President, The Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (2times)
2018 – 2020: Chairman, The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Awka Branch
2020: Committee Chairman, Business and Rules of The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)
2020 – 2021: Managing Editor, Journal of Inventive Engineering and Technology (JIET) of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Awka Branch
He has also served as Chairman and Secretary in different Engineering Committees.
Martin Agbili’s leadership qualities made him a committed Fellow and Member of more than fifteen (15) professional organisations within and outside Nigeria
FELLOW/MEMBERSHIP OF THE FOLLOWING PROFESSIONAL BODIES
Fellow, Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (FNISafetyE)
Fellow, The Emergency, Crisis & Disaster Risk Management Institute (FECRMI)
Fellow, The Corporate Institute of Risk & Safety Management (FCIRSM)
Fellow, Institute Management Consultant (FIMC)
Fellow, Fire Academy Nigeria (FAN)
Fellow, Institute of Disaster Management and Safety Science (FIDMSS)
Fellow, Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators of Nigeria (FIPMA)
Member, International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
Member, The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)
Member, The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)
Member, Fire Protection Association of Nigeria (FPAN)
Member, National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
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, The Nigerian Institution of Electrical Electronics Engineers (NIEEE)
Member, International Security Organisation (ISO)
Member, United Nature International Peace (UNIP)
Member, International Institute of Aviation and Shipping Technology, Nigeria (NIAST)
Member, Junior Chamber International (JCI)
Member, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN)
What thrills people about Martin Agbili, is his selfless, humanitarian, managerial and exemplary style of leadership not minding his status, educational qualifications and professional experiences. Following his good records, Martin Agbili has been honoured with many Local, National and International awards. He is the most recognised and the most decorated Fire Chief in Nigeria. Because of his consistency in winning notable awards, friends started calling him the AWARD-WINNING FIRE CHIFE. He has attracted to himself, a lot of good wishes and recommendations for his humility and the exemplary leadership.
Martin Agbili is a voracious reader; always eager to acquire new knowledge. Martin Agbili is not just an Engineer but also a great firefighter, researcher, an instructor, a trainer and an author. His major creative outputs as an author are 2 fire books (first of its kind in Nigeria) viz Rudiments of Fire Fighting, Safety & Prevention AND Fire Safety for Children: A Guide. This has earned him more nicknames, EZE-OKU GBURUGBURU.
He has delivered lectures relating to engineering, fire safety, safety management system and disaster risk management in various seminars, workshops and conferences, and, he has also some reputable journal articles on fire and safety management and disaster to his credit.
He loves playing with children, travelling and making new friends. Martin Agbili is not only an intellectual but also a technical guru and a renowned service provider.
He is also blissfully married to his beautiful, supportive, beloved and hard working wife, Mrs. Chiamaka Nkiruka Agbili (OMARICHA-AGILITY) and blessed with promising children.