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<\/p>\n\u2026 Urges State, Local Communities Level Preparedness<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In a proactive move to mitigate the impact of anticipated floods during the 2025 rainy season, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed teams across all states in the country to engage directly with communities identified as being at risk of flooding. These teams will deliver critical early warning messages and disaster preparedness information at the grassroots level.<\/p>\n
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, disclosed this on Thursday during a stakeholders\u2019 engagement on the 2025 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards, held in Abuja.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mrs. Zubaida Umar also urged State Governments to make adequate preparations and provide safer grounds for those who may be affected by the predicted floods this year.<\/p>\n
She stated, \u201cBeyond today\u2019s stakeholders\u2019 engagement, NEMA is deploying teams to all states of the federation to engage with flood-prone communities. These teams will take early warning messages to the grassroots, with the support of State Emergency Management Agencies, Local Emergency Management Committees, and community volunteers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe NEMA Zonal Directorates and Operations Offices across the nation will simultaneously drive this engagement process at both the state and community levels, starting today, Thursday, May 15, 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreviously, we have consistently engaged the media\u2014both mainstream and social\u2014in disseminating NEMA\u2019s early warning messages to the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
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She emphasized the critical role of traditional institutions, religious organizations, women and youth groups, and the media in ensuring early warning messages reach vulnerable populations.<\/p>\n
The DG NEMA said that disaster management globally is based on community participation and inclusivity, ensuring no one is left behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we always emphasize at NEMA, disaster management is everyone\u2019s business. We must work together to deliver early warning messages to the appropriate groups to protect communities at risk, safeguard critical infrastructure, and ensure uninterrupted socio-economic activities across the nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is my hope that today\u2019s event will contribute significantly to reducing the impact of recurring floods and safeguarding the livelihoods of our people. This is the path to driving socio-economic growth in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu\u2019s leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n
The NEMA boss highlighted the need for collaboration between agencies and explained that efforts have already been made to engage state governments, assess locations, and identify safe grounds for possible evacuation.<\/p>\n
She also noted that lessons from 2024 are being applied in 2025, though challenges remain\u2014particularly in coordination at the state and local emergency response levels.<\/p>\n
She reiterated that disaster response should begin at the community level and not solely rely on the national agency. Communities, she said, must be empowered and trained to respond effectively.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a common notion that whenever there\u2019s a disaster, everyone expects NEMA to be the first responder. That should not be the case. All disasters are local. Communities must be empowered to take charge.<\/p>\n
\u201cStates must take responsibility and not wait for NEMA to intervene. We\u2019ve produced vulnerability maps for all at-risk communities to guide governments in implementing risk reduction measures.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve translated our messages into various local languages. Since January, in partnership with the National Orientation Agency, we\u2019ve been using local radio stations to broadcast flood awareness jingles in native languages to sensitize the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, in a goodwill message delivered by the Director of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Jummai Katagum, commended NEMA for its proactive efforts and affirmed the Federal Government\u2019s commitment to timely disaster management.<\/p>\n
In his opening remarks, the Director of the Disaster Risk Reduction Department at NEMA, Dr Idris Mohammed, stated that floods and other hydrometeorological hazards continue to pose significant threats to Nigeria\u2019s economic, social, and environmental well-being. He emphasized the need for stakeholders to collaborate on strategies for mitigating disaster risks.<\/p>\n
\u201cEffective preparedness and response strategies are critical to reducing the impact of floods on communities, livelihoods, and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will engage in presentations, discussions, share best practices, and develop actionable recommendations to improve Nigeria\u2019s flood preparedness and response capacity. Our goal is to build a roadmap for risk reduction and national resilience.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am confident that your expertise and commitment to disaster risk reduction are invaluable as we face a multi-hazard outlook in Nigeria,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Also speaking, Assistant Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Hammed Abodunrin, emphasized the importance of proactive disaster prevention and community engagement, particularly among students.<\/p>\n
He suggested integrating community service, such as environmental sanitation, into academic programmes and certificates, noting that this could significantly contribute to disaster reduction, including flooding.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Signed:<\/p>\n
Manzo Ezekiel<\/p>\n
Head, NEMA Press Unit<\/p>\n
15th May, 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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