The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has tasked state and local governments with taking a more proactive role in disaster response. Director-General Zubaida Umar, speaking at the opening of the Emergency Coordination Forum (ECF) in Abuja, highlighted the importance of local leadership during emergencies.
The forum, held on Tuesday, is designed to improve coordination and preparedness for potential disasters, with a specific focus on the challenges outlined in the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).
To improve disaster response, federal, state, and local governments met at the Emergency Coordination Forum (ECF) to strategize for 2025.
NEMA’s Zubaida Umar emphasized the need for early planning, SEMA collaboration, and utilizing climate predictions, highlighting ongoing grassroots advocacy for relocation in flood-prone areas.
She reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to proactive flood management in Nigeria and commended stakeholders for their dedication to effective and efficient disaster response.
“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 said.
The Director-General emphasized the imperative for inter-agency collaboration in addressing the escalating complexities of disaster management.
She further outlined NEMA’s strategic focus on the analysis of climate-sensitive sectors, including agriculture, water resources, and health, for the purpose of developing advanced early warning systems and mitigation strategies.
Mrs Winnie Lai-Solarin, a Director, Animal Husbandry, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, called for collaborative climate strategies to boost the livestock sector.
Lai-Solarin said that addressing climate change impact on Nigeria’s livestock sector was crucial.
She stressed the need for actionable strategies that livestock farmers could implement to mitigate challenges and leverage opportunities presented by climate change.
“It’s heartwarming to see so many stakeholders gathered here today.
“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,” she added.
Recognizing the need for collaboration, Lai-Solarin thanked NEMA for the workshop and pledged her ministry’s commitment to implementing its outcomes for sustainable livestock development.
She emphasized that collective action is vital for sustainable agriculture in the face of global climate challenges.
Protecting lives and livelihoods from increasing climate hazards requires urgent strategic disaster preparedness, according to Onimode Bandele, NEMA’s Director of Planning, Research, and Forecasting.
He explained that the workshop centers on proactive measures like risk assessment, resource mobilization, and community resilience-building.
Bandele also expressed appreciation for stakeholders’ support and highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of disaster management.
“The outcomes of this workshop aim to inform national preparedness plans and ensure a unified approach to disaster risk reduction across Nigeria,” he said.