The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has emphasized the need for synergy and proactiveness among disaster managers to enhance disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response.
Mr. Kadiri Olanrewaju, Head of Operations at NEMA’s South-West Zonal Office in Ibadan, made the call during a stakeholders’ engagement on disaster preparedness and response on Tuesday in Ibadan.
He said the engagement was necessary following predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) of possible heavy rainfall in parts of the state, as well as recent accidents and fire incidents recorded by the agency.
According to him, the meeting aimed to rub minds with critical stakeholders in disaster management to assess and improve their level of preparedness.
“It also provided a platform to discuss equipment holdings of key agencies, mitigative measures, and practicable solutions to prevalent emergency situations within Oyo State and its environs,” he said.
Olanrewaju appreciated the participants for their turnout, commended their robust contributions, and urged them to develop actionable plans for disaster management at their respective levels.
“Disaster management is everybody’s business, and all hands must be on deck to mitigate identified emergency situations in the state through sensitization and awareness creation,” he said.
The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, represented by the South-West Zonal Director, Mr. Akiode Saheed, emphasized the need for collective effort, information sharing, and early warning actions by all stakeholders for effective response. He also highlighted the importance of periodic reviews and data sharing for proper coordination.
Participants at the event commended NEMA for the timely initiative and described the programme as a welcome development that would spur stakeholders into action.
In attendance were representatives of the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Oyo State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service (FFS), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Oyo State Ministry of Health, Oyo State Ministry of Environment, and media organizations.
