By Nkechi Eze
As part of its nationwide efforts to mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has officially launched the 2025 edition of its Flood Preparedness and Response Campaign in Ekiti State, urging stronger grassroots engagement, early warning awareness, and the establishment of local emergency management structures.
The campaign commenced with a courtesy visit to the Ekiti State Government, where the NEMA delegation, led by Mr. Fred Anusim, was received by Alhaji Ademola Bello. The visit set the tone for a robust partnership with state authorities in addressing imminent flood risks projected for the current rainy season.
Mr. Anusim, who represented the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, highlighted the agency’s commitment to proactive disaster risk reduction, especially in flood-prone communities. Speaking at the stakeholders’ engagement session held at the Lady Jibowu Hall in Ado-Ekiti, he emphasized the critical importance of grassroots sensitization and local capacity building in confronting climate-induced disasters.
“The campaign is aimed at preparing citizens ahead of predicted floods through improved knowledge, early warning, and community-based strategies. We must move from reactive responses to preventive action,” Anusim stated, adding that collaboration with local governments, traditional institutions, and civil society would be vital in achieving meaningful impact.
In her remarks, the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, commended NEMA for choosing Ekiti as an early recipient of the campaign. She praised the agency’s foresight and assured full cooperation from the state government. The Deputy Governor further directed the immediate reactivation and establishment of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) across the 16 local government areas of the state, stressing the importance of working closely with traditional rulers and community leaders to ensure effective coverage.
“We cannot afford to treat these warnings lightly. Our communities must be ready. Local committees are our first line of defense,” she declared.
A key highlight of the stakeholders’ meeting was the technical presentation by Dr. Evans Ugoh, who shared insights from the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook released by relevant national agencies. He warned that Ekiti, like many other states, remains vulnerable to flash floods, especially in low-lying communities, urging early planning, community awareness, and investment in functional drainage systems.
Dr. Ugoh also advocated for the inclusion of disaster education in primary and secondary school curricula to nurture a generation of safety-conscious citizens capable of responding effectively to environmental emergencies.
The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by representatives from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), ministries of health and environment, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Red Cross Society, traditional council members, and the media. Discussions focused on developing a multi-agency response framework and leveraging local knowledge in implementing early warning mechanisms.
As part of its field-level engagement, the NEMA team also conducted a grassroots outreach in Ikere-Ekiti, where residents were sensitized on flood prevention measures including proper waste disposal, safe building practices, and evacuation readiness. Demonstrations on fire safety, first aid, and emergency response techniques were also conducted to build public confidence and skills.
A first aid box was donated to the community to support local emergency preparedness, further underlining NEMA’s message of practical readiness at the household level.
With forecasts predicting above-normal rainfall in several parts of the country, NEMA reiterated its commitment to early advocacy and coordinated disaster management. The Ekiti campaign is one of several regional activations planned across flood-vulnerable states to minimize the humanitarian impact of seasonal climate hazards.
