On February 28, 2025, the Zonal Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for the South-West region, Mr. Akiode Saheed, alongside the Head of Ekiti Operations Office, Dr. Kofoworola Soleye, visited the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief (Mrs.) Christiana Monisade Afuye. The visit aimed to strengthen disaster management collaboration between NEMA and the Ekiti State Government.
Mr. Akiode conveyed the goodwill of NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, and highlighted the agency’s ongoing restructuring to enhance emergency response, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities. He acknowledged the cooperation between NEMA’s Ekiti Operations Office and the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) while advocating for further improvements.
Key recommendations included strengthening SEMA and the Ekiti State Fire Service by providing necessary support for faster and more effective emergency response. He suggested forming Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) in all local government areas to bring disaster management closer to the grassroots. He also emphasized that NEMA intervenes only when disasters exceed state capacity, urging SEMA to be proactive.
The Deputy Governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Deputy Governor’s Office, Mr. Bayo Opeyemi, welcomed the NEMA delegation and appreciated their commitment to disaster management. He assured that the state government would support SEMA, consider overhauling the Ekiti State Fire Service, and prioritize the establishment and training of LEMCs.
The visit reinforced the commitment of both NEMA and the Ekiti State Government to improving disaster preparedness and response. The discussions focused on enhancing SEMA’s operational independence and revitalizing the Ekiti State Fire Service to ensure better emergency response and resilience for the state’s residents.
