The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday flagged off the 2025 National Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) in Bauchi State as part of its efforts to mitigate the impact of flooding in high-risk communities.
Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Director of General Services at NEMA, Mr. Bitrus Samuel said Bauchi is among the states most vulnerable to flooding, necessitating proactive sensitisation efforts.
He noted that the campaign was informed by early warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which forecasted severe weather patterns for the year.
“We are acting on critical information provided by NiMet. NEMA’s goal is to translate these predictions into actionable plans at the grassroots level. Bauchi being a high-risk state, we are here to ensure communities are informed and prepared,” Samuel stated.
He explained that the campaign aims to equip local communities with knowledge and strategies to prevent and respond to floods effectively.
“Disasters are local—they begin and are first felt at the community level. If people understand what to do before disaster strikes, they’ll be better positioned to respond and minimize damage,” he added.
The campaign launch brought together stakeholders from the Nigerian Army, Police, Fire Service, Civil Defence Corps, and others involved in emergency response.
As part of the outreach, the agency also visited the Muda Lawal market—a community previously affected by both flood and fire disasters.
Speaking to market leaders, a NEMA official, Mr. Simon Katu said the agency’s presence aimed to support and reinforce community-led preparedness initiatives.
“We expect to see behavioural change, improved response capacity, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders. Disaster management isn’t solely the responsibility of the government—community involvement is crucial,” he said.
He urged citizens to volunteer, form local response groups, and adopt self-help strategies that can be activated before official interventions arrive.
In her remarks, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajara Wanka said the state government has issued directives for comprehensive preparedness and response plans in all disaster-prone communities.
“We are taking proactive measures to strengthen local capacities and protect our people. This partnership with NEMA reinforces our commitment to building resilient communities,” she said.
