The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has officially launched the 2025 National Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) on floods and related disasters in Ondo State. Upon arrival in Akure, the NEMA team paid a courtesy visit to the State Government and was received by Mr. Idowu Ojo, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor on Wednesday May 4, 2025.
Mr. Fred Anusim, the NEMA Team Lead, explained that the campaign is aimed at creating awareness, strengthening resilience, and enhancing community-level response to disasters. He called on the State Government to replicate the initiative at the local government level to ensure broader reach and effectiveness.
During the stakeholders’ engagement session held at the Ministry of Finance Conference Hall, the Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor on Emergency Response, Hon. (Prince) Wellington Oriade Adebawo said, “Floods, when unmitigated, threaten lives, displace communities, damage infrastructure, and set back our developmental progress. However, with timely response, strategic planning, and collective effort, disaster risk can be significantly reduced.”
He assured that his office, in collaboration with the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (ODEMSA) and other relevant partners, are working relentlessly in enhancing emergency management in the state.
The Special Assistant thereafter appreciated the management of NEMA for deeming it fit to organize such stakeholders engagement in Ondo State.
The engagement witnessed attendance from disaster management stakeholders and top government officials. Mr. Anusim, representing NEMA Director General Mrs. Zubaida Umar, noted that predictions from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) indicated that certain local governments in the coastal areas of Ondo State are likely to experience flooding. He stressed the importance of radical sensitization and community-level downscaling of early warning systems to boost disaster resilience and reduce risks.
Dr. Evans Ugoh, during his presentation on the implications of the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook, emphasized the need for functional Local Emergency Management Committees in every local government and at the community level. He also recommended incorporating disaster management education in schools through the Ministry of Education.
Representing the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kola Falohun stated that the Ondo State Government has invested in water channelization and equipped relevant MDA with tools and training to reduce the impact of flooding. He commended NEMA’s collaboration with the state in protecting citizens and providing relief during disasters. He urged all participants to spread early warning alerts throughout the state using all available media.
Stakeholders present at the event included the representatives of Nigerian Police, SEMA, NSCDC, Community Leaders and Landlord Associations, Red Cross, Fire Services, Local Government and LCDA Chairmen, MDAs, Waste Management Authority, NOA, Traditional Rulers, Media, and the FRSC.
Following the engagement, a community outreach was held at Uso Kingdom which featured a sensitization session on flood prevention, fire extinguishing demonstrations by the Federal Fire Service, and basic first aid training by the Nigerian Red Cross. The event concluded with the presentation of a first aid box by Dr. Kola Falohun to the Oloba of Uso Kingdom, Oba Dr. Oyinbade Ademola, in support of the community’s emergency response efforts.
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