As part of proactive efforts to mitigate the impact of anticipated flooding across Nigeria, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced stakeholder engagement in Nasarawa State ahead of the 2025 rainy season.
The campaign, held in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), is part of NEMA’s National Preparedness and Response Strategy aimed at strengthening community-level resilience and reducing the risk of disaster-related losses.
Speaking at the event in Lafia, NEMA Director General, Zubaida Umar, represented by the Director of the North-Central Zonal Office, Mr. Aliyu Waziri, emphasized the need for early preparedness, coordination, and implementation of risk reduction strategies.
“Our goal is to minimize the devastating impact of floods, which have historically claimed lives, destroyed infrastructure, and disrupted livelihoods across the country,” he stated.
The campaign featured detailed presentations on flood early warning systems, emergency response mechanisms, and safety protocols. Communities were urged to desilt drainages, avoid building on waterways, and adhere to weather advisories.
In his remarks, Director General of NASEMA, Mr. Benjamin Akwash, commended NEMA’s support and reiterated the state’s commitment to enhancing preparedness at the grassroots level. He noted that previous collaborations had helped mitigate the effects of flooding in vulnerable local government areas.
The event was attended by representatives from security agencies, local government councils, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, and the Federal University of Lafia, where public sensitization exercises were also conducted.
NEMA’s campaign in Nasarawa is one of several planned nationwide as part of its 2025 disaster risk reduction framework, particularly targeting states listed in the annual flood risk forecast by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
