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NEMA, NASS Chart New Course for Stronger Disaster Preparedness
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By Gloria Ikibah
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and members of the National Assembly Committees overseeing emergency and disaster management have held a high-level retreat to deepen legislative collaboration and boost the agency’s institutional strength for more effective disaster management across Nigeria.
The retreat, themed “Building a Resilient Nigeria: Strengthening Legislative Collaboration for Effective Emergency Management,” brought together lawmakers from both chambers and senior NEMA officials to explore practical strategies for better policy alignment, oversight, and resource mobilisation in support of NEMA’s mandate.
In her keynote address, the Director-General NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr Onimode Abdullahi Bandele, said the dialogue was designed to bridge gaps between the legislature and the agency on critical issues of preparedness, response, and risk reduction.
She explained that the engagement aims to “harmonise NEMA’s relationship with the National Assembly, align on policy direction, and secure legislative support for sustainable investment, institutional reforms, and stronger national resilience.”
Umar emphasised that the rising complexity of disasters nationwide calls for a coordinated, multi-sectoral response supported by clear legislation, adequate funding, and strong political will. She added that closer collaboration with the National Assembly is essential to empower NEMA in its core functions, from proactive disaster prevention and community resilience to early warning systems.
The Chairman Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, represented by Senator Abdul Ningi, commended NEMA for convening the retreat as a platform for constructive dialogue.
He reaffirmed the readiness of the legislature to reinforce Nigeria’s disaster management framework through stronger oversight and legislative action.
He noted that the growing frequency and intensity of disasters require better coordination, swift legislative responses, and sustained budgetary commitment to safeguard lives and national assets.
Likewise, Chairman House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management, Rep. Joseph Bassey, pointed out key challenges hindering effective disaster response, including inadequate funding, limited equipment, and the need for continuous training of emergency personnel.
He emphasised that the responsibility of NEMA goes far beyond relief distribution, calling for increased budgetary prioritisation and institutional reforms to enable the agency to address disasters more proactively and strategically.
“NEMA is not only about relief. There are critical funding and equipment needs that must be met to build a professional, well-resourced system capable of protecting lives and livelihoods”, he said.
Rep. Bassey also urged the government to ensure the prompt release of approved funds, while encouraging the creation of innovative funding models to boost disaster preparedness and response efforts at the federal, state, and community levels.
A key highlight of the retreat was a panel session titled “Repositioning Nigeria’s Emergency Management Framework: The Role of the National Assembly.”
During the discussion, panellists applauded NEMA for initiating the dialogue, describing it as a vital step towards building a more resilient and coordinated emergency management system.
They called on the National Assembly Committees responsible for oversight to demonstrate stronger commitment through deeper institutional collaboration, more robust legislative scrutiny, and the removal of policy and legal barriers that hinder effective disaster response.
The session also emphasised the need for greater investment in disaster-risk reduction measures and modern emergency-response infrastructure across the country, to ensure communities are better equipped to withstand future crises.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has described the victory of Jide Oyekunle, a journalist with Independent Newspaper, at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice as a major victory for journalism and press freedom in Nigeria.
The union, in its reaction to the judgment awarding N10 million in damages against the Nigerian government over the violation of Oyekunle’s rights, said the ruling represents an important step towards protecting journalists and defending media freedom.
The NUJ in a statement signed by the National Secretary, Achike Chude on Wednesday commended the efforts of Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France) for providing legal support and standing with the journalist throughout the legal process.
It said the judgment serves as a reminder of the need for the protection of journalists who perform their constitutional duty of informing the public, adding that attacks and harassment against media practitioners must not go unchecked.
The union urged the Nigerian government to comply with the ECOWAS Court judgment by paying the N10 million damages awarded to Oyekunle without delay.
According to the NUJ, prompt compliance with the ruling would demonstrate respect for the rule of law and reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to upholding human rights and press freedom.
The union further called for stronger measures to guarantee the safety and independence of journalists across the country.
Signed
Comrade Achike Chude
National Secretary
President Tinubu Will Commission Roads 01 and 02 Linking Mabushi Bus Terminal and Ahmadu Bello Way Today
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BEWARE: FG warns 26 States of flood, places, Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, Adamawa, Benue, others as critical risk areas
The Federal Government has alerted residents of 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the possibility of flooding between June 22 and July 5, 2026, following forecasts of heavy rainfall in different parts of the country.
The warning was issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment through the National Flood Early Warning Centre under its Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department.
The ministry said several communities across the country have been identified as areas that could face serious flood threats during the period.
According to the forecast released on June 22, heavy rainfall is expected in many locations, raising concerns about possible flooding in vulnerable communities.
States placed under the critical-risk category include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers.
In Abia State, the affected communities include Aba, Arochukwu and Umuahia. In Adamawa, the ministry listed Jimeta and Numan, while Eket, Oron and Uyo were named in Akwa Ibom. In Anambra, Onitsha Inland Town and Awka Urban Drainage Corridors were identified as vulnerable locations.
Bayelsa communities such as Yenagoa, Brass and Nembe Town were also listed among areas that could be affected by flooding.
Other locations mentioned include Makurdi, Gboko and Katsina-Ala in Benue State; Calabar Metropolis and Creek Town in Cross River State; Asaba, Warri and Sapele in Delta State; and Abakaliki, Afikpo and Onueke in Ebonyi State.
The ministry also identified Benin City Urban Core and Auchi in Edo State, Ado-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State, as well as Enugu, Nsukka and Oji River Town in Enugu State.
In Imo State, Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe were listed, while Lokoja and Ajaokuta were named in Kogi State. Communities such as Ilorin, Jebba and Pategi in Kwara State were also included in the warning.
Several parts of Lagos State were equally listed among the areas at risk.
These include Agege, Alimosho, Apapa, Badagry, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lekki and Surulere.
In Niger State, Bida, Minna, Mokwa, Suleja and Kontagora were identified, while Abeokuta, Ota and Sagamu were listed in Ogun State.
The flood alert further covered Akure, Owo and Okitipupa in Ondo State; Oshogbo, Ile-Ife and Ilesa in Osun State; Ibadan, Ogbomoso and Oyo in Oyo State; as well as Port Harcourt Urban Core, Bonny, Ahoada and Omoku in Rivers State.
Apart from the states under the critical-risk category, the ministry also placed parts of Adamawa, the FCT, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states under a high-risk category.
Communities listed in this group include Yola North, Yola South, Mubi and Gurin in Adamawa State; Abuja Municipal, Gwagwalada, Kubwa, Nyanya and Wuse in the FCT; Birnin Kebbi and Argungu in Kebbi State; Bako in Kogi State; and Keffi, Lafia, Karu and Toto in Nasarawa State.
The warning also covered Jos and Jos North in Plateau State, as well as Jalingo, Wukari, Takum, Serti and Karim Lamido in Taraba State.
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