The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has conducted a simulation exercise in some flood-prone states, including Kebbi State, North West Nigeria.
The exercise was conducted in Dukku, a suburb of Birnin Kebbi, as part of NEMA’s collective preparedness efforts for disaster managers and first responders from Niger, Sokoto, and Kebbi States, in collaboration with their state governments, at the end of a week-long capacity-building programme.
Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, while assessing the exercise, said it was impressive, noting that more state governments are becoming proactive and involved in preparedness efforts.
“It’s a very impressive simulation, as you can see; the whole community came out and participated. The lesson learnt is that the community members should expect to be first responders before the government steps in,” she emphasized.
Mrs. Umar, however, noted that NEMA is looking forward to better collaboration and ownership among stakeholders at all levels.
NEMA further donated ten life jackets to the community as part of efforts to improve community engagement and deepen collaboration.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement, Mohammed Yakasai, called on governments at all levels to collaborate with NEMA and all emergency agencies.
“We need to work together to avoid this flood that has been ravaging communities in the riverine areas,” he said.
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The Kebbi State Governor, Nasir, who was represented by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, while responding to the gesture, pledged to provide response equipment to enhance efficiency and service delivery in case of disaster.
Earlier in the year, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Niger, and Kwara States were identified among the flood-prone states in the North West and Central Regions in the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction by NiMet and the Annual Flood Outlook by NIHSA.