By Nkechi Eze
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has stepped up its 2025 flood preparedness campaign with a large-scale simulation exercise in Rivers State, designed to strengthen coordinated response and raise awareness in communities most vulnerable to flooding.
The exercise, which took place in Mbiama, Ahoada West Local Government Area, was conducted with the support of the Rivers State Government and drew participation from a wide range of stakeholders, including the armed forces, first responders, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and local volunteers.
In an official statement, Manzo Ezekiel, Head of NEMA’s Press Unit, said the initiative was part of the Agency’s proactive disaster management strategy to minimise the human and economic toll of flooding.
Delivering her address at the event, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, described the simulation as a forward-looking step towards protecting lives, livelihoods, and critical assets. Represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr. Onimode Abdullahi Bandele, she underscored the gravity of flood disasters in Nigeria.
“Flooding remains one of the most recurrent and devastating natural disasters in Nigeria. Beyond the loss of lives and property, it disrupts oil production and undermines the economy. The essence of this simulation exercise is not only to test our plans and protocols but also to identify gaps and strengthen our multi-agency collaboration towards building resilient communities,” she said.
Mrs. Umar emphasised that preparedness remains the strongest defense against disasters, warning that communities must learn to anticipate and respond before crises escalate. “Today, we are simulating a crisis scenario to ensure that when it becomes reality, we are better positioned to save lives. Preparedness saves lives. Our ability to anticipate, respond, and recover quickly depends on how well we train and work together before disaster strikes,” she added.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.), represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika, commended NEMA for its foresight and pledged the State Government’s continued support for disaster preparedness. He disclosed that Rivers State has commenced the process of establishing its own State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), which will institutionalise a permanent structure for response and recovery.
He also called on community members to heed early warning alerts and urged traditional rulers, faith leaders, civil society organisations, and the media to act as grassroots messengers in mobilising disaster awareness and preparedness.
Air Commodore Kenneth Oyong, NEMA’s Director of Search and Rescue, who coordinated the drill, said the exercise, code-named “Exercise Iji Gbaje-Ugbo”, was deliberately staged in the most flood-prone communities across four Local Government Areas of Rivers State. He explained that the simulation provided a hands-on demonstration of emergency response protocols, bringing federal, state, and community actors together in real time.
Responding on behalf of the communities, the Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Mr. Promise Jacob, thanked NEMA and the Rivers State Government for prioritising local engagement. He pledged the cooperation of residents in mitigating the impact of floods, saying the sensitisation would improve community vigilance and preparedness.
The exercise featured active deployment of the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside first responders, volunteers, and community stakeholders, demonstrating the “whole-of-society” approach NEMA has adopted in tackling disaster risks nationwide.
With flood alerts already issued for several states in 2025, the Rivers simulation marks another major step in Nigeria’s campaign to reduce vulnerability, build resilience, and save lives in the face of recurring disasters.
