The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has called upon state and local governments to assume their roles as primary responders in the face of disasters, emphasizing the critical need for localized and immediate action.
Umar made the statement during her opening address at the Emergency Coordination Forum (ECF) held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The ECF serves as a platform to bolster disaster preparedness and address potential challenges outlined in the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP). The event brought together key stakeholders from federal, state, and local government levels to evaluate the effectiveness of 2024’s disaster management strategies and formulate plans for the upcoming year.
“Advocacy and awareness campaigns will continue at the grassroots level, particularly in flood-prone communities, to emphasize the importance of relocation when advised,” Umar stated, highlighting NEMA’s continued commitment to public education. She emphasized the importance of early planning, close collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), and leveraging seasonal climate predictions to safeguard lives and property. NEMA, she reaffirmed, remains committed to proactive flood management across Nigeria.
Umar also highlighted NEMA’s embrace of technological advancements. “NEMA has also embraced technological advancements, such as satellite monitoring and predictive analytics, to enhance early warning systems and disaster response coordination. The agency’s multi-stakeholder approach aims to build resilience and minimise the devastating impacts of floods across Nigeria.” she stated.
Addressing the increasing complexities of disaster management, Umar stressed the necessity of interagency cooperation. She noted NEMA’s focus on analyzing climate-sensitive sectors, including agriculture, water resources, and health, to develop comprehensive early warning systems and effective mitigation strategies.
Mrs. Winnie Lai-Solarin, Director of Animal Husbandry at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, advocated for collaborative climate strategies to strengthen the livestock sector. “It’s heartwarming to see so many stakeholders gathered here today,” she commented.
“It means we’ll pool ideas and expertise to tackle these pressing issues. This platform allows us to take practical solutions back to our states and farmers, ensuring long-term benefits for the sector.” Lai-Solarin further emphasized the importance of actionable strategies that livestock farmers can implement to navigate climate change’s impact and opportunities and pledged her ministry’s support for the implementation of the workshop’s outcomes.
Mr. Onimode Bandele, Director of Planning, Research, and Forecasting at NEMA, underscored the urgency of strategic disaster preparedness to protect lives and livelihoods from increasing climate-related hazards. The workshop, he explained, focuses on proactive measures such as risk assessment, resource mobilization, and community resilience building.
“The outcomes of this workshop aim to inform national preparedness plans and ensure a unified approach to disaster risk reduction across Nigeria,” Bandele concluded, expressing appreciation for stakeholder support and highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of disaster management.
