The Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu, has praised the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for quickly and effectively responding to emergencies in the state.
The Governor gave this praise on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, during a ceremony where he started the distribution of 20 motorised boats and 2,000 life-jackets to river communities in Sokoto. He said that under the leadership of NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the agency has followed international standards and has been very active in helping local communities.
Dr. Ahmad mentioned how NEMA quickly responded to recent boat accidents in Sokoto. He also said that the good cooperation between NEMA and the state’s own emergency agency (SEMA) has made managing disasters more effective.
The Governor explained that the state decided to buy and share these boats and life-jackets because of the frequent boat accidents. He said boat operators had already been trained on how to use them safely. The boats will be given to communities in 10 local government areas: Goronyo, Shagari, Sabon-Birni, Wurno, Rabah, Wamakko, Silame, Kebbe, Tambuwal, and Isa.
Governor Ahmad warned people not to overload the boats and said anyone who breaks this rule will be punished. He told local government chairmen in the areas receiving the equipment to take good care of them, reminding them that the boats and jackets were bought with public money.
The head of NEMA’s Sokoto office, Alhaji Aliyu Shehu Kafindangi, was represented by Mr. Tukur Abubakar. He thanked the state government for taking early action by buying the boats and life-jackets. He said this will help reduce boat accidents in Sokoto.
Other important people who spoke at the event included the Secretary to the State Government, a manager from the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and traditional leaders.
