NEMA activates emergency response for festive season

NEMA Officials during the fitness exercise. Photo: NEMA

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The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has stated that the agency has activated its preparedness mechanisms nationwide to ensure a rapid response to emergencies during the festive period and beyond.

Mrs. Umar made the statement on Saturday in Abuja while leading staff of the agency on a fitness exercise. She also urged Nigerians to remain safety-conscious throughout the Yuletide season.

NEMA coordinates disaster response efforts in Nigeria, working with federal, state, and local agencies to mitigate the impact of natural and human-induced disasters.

A statement signed by the agency’s Head of Press, Manzo Ezekiel, noted that the exercise—which included a route walk of about five kilometres—was aimed at promoting physical fitness, teamwork, and preparedness among staff, in line with the agency’s mandate as a frontline emergency coordination body.

“Mrs. Umar expressed satisfaction with the fitness level, discipline, and operational readiness of NEMA personnel, noting that physical preparedness is critical to effective emergency response, especially during periods of heightened human and vehicular activity.

“She assured Nigerians that NEMA has activated its preparedness mechanisms nationwide and is working closely with relevant stakeholders, including security agencies, emergency responders, and other critical bodies, to ensure a rapid response to any emergency during the festive period.

“The Director-General urged the public to remain safety-conscious throughout the celebrations, advising motorists to avoid speeding, adhere to traffic regulations, and exercise caution on the roads, waterways, at public gatherings, and in residential areas,” the statement highlighted.

Umar also reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to protecting lives and property, emphasising that the agency remains on standby across its zonal, territorial, and state offices to facilitate timely responses to emergencies during the Yuletide season and beyond.

Speaking on the exercise, the Director of Search and Rescue at NEMA, Air Commodore Bature Usman, said it is a routine activity designed to keep personnel physically and mentally prepared for emergency operations at all times.

The statement added that the exercise included participation from stakeholders drawn from the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, underscoring the importance of inter-agency collaboration in effective disaster response.

The PUNCH journalist, Lara, has over 10 years experience covering health, environment and CSOs

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