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Banditry: IDPs in 14 Niger State LGAs get NEMA relief

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced direct distribution of relief materials to 24,925 household of displaced persons affected by banditry in 14 Local Government Areas of Niger State.

Director General of NEMA AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (rtd.) flagged off the relief distribution in Kuta, the headquarters of Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

The NEMA DG who was represented by the Head of Minna Operations Office, Hajiya Zainab Ahmad Saidu sympathised with the affected persons and said the relief materials approved by President Muhammadu Buhari were delivered to complement the efforts of the Niger State Government and others to provide them with succor over their situation.

A joint assessment recently conducted by staff of NEMA and Niger State Emergency Management Agency, showed the IDPs were in need of food support, the NEMA boss explained.  

It was on this basis that the presidential approval was obtained and the requisite materials comprised of 5412 bags (10kg) of rice, 5412 bags (10kg) of beans, 500 kegs of vegetable oil, 500 cartons of seasoning cubes and 500 bags of iodized salt were delivered to them.

He further explained that the materials would be distributed directly to the affected persons in the camps and host communities by NEMA staff in collaboration with officials of the state Emergency Management Agency.

The beneficiary LGAs include Rafi, Shiroro, Bosso, Munya, Paikoro, Mariga, Kontagora, Magama, Mashegu, Wushishi, Rijau, Borgu, Lapai and Lavun Local Government Areas.
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Flood forecasting, management: NEMA provides automatic weather observatories to NIHSA

To enhance operations of the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has provided three automatic Weather Observation Stations in support to NIHSA.
 
Speaking in Abuja, at the unveiling of the 2021 annual flood outlook by the NHSA, NEMA’s Director General, AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (rtd) said the weather stations are at various stages of installations are located in Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti and Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State
 
According to AVM Muhammed, NEMA values “collaboration with our partners and are ready to strengthen the multi-agency approach to disaster risk reduction.”
 
He said the weather stations will be useful for hydrological predictions and also to train students in the field of Geography, Engineering, Agriculture, meteorology, climate change and other sciences. 
 
Reviewing the flood of last year, he said “COVID-19 Pandemic reduced States and communities’ abilities to cope with climate induced disasters, thus imposing more burden on Federal Government Agencies to mitigate and respond to disasters.
 
“However, despite the gloomy nature of the pandemic, presenting a case of disaster within a disaster, our advocacy and engagement with stakeholders in 2020 led to reduction in the negative impacts of flood on the people.
“A total of 2,353,647 people were affected by 2020 flood disaster, but 69 lives were lost compared with the 158 lives but only 277,555 affected in 2019. “
 
Further according to him, “One of the lessons learnt during the 2020 flood after action review meeting is the need for proper utilization of our dams in the country. When dams meant for irrigation purposes are used for dry season agriculture, they acquire more capacities to hold more water in the rainy season. In addition, a timely controlled release of water from dams will reduce panic release of water during rainy season that can lead to further flooding”
 
As part of strategy for this year’s flood management, the NEMA DG said the Agency will ensure that all states and communities that are vulnerable to flood received timely warnings through community engagement, television programmes and information, education and communication materials amongst other public enlightenment activities that would be carried out.
 
The Minister of Water Resources Engr Suleiman Adamu who unveiled the AFO said the document was a clarion call to all stakeholders to rise and set up appropriate mechanism such as clearing the waterways and flood paths as well as maintaining proper water disposal management practices to curtail the ravages of the impending flood and threats of COVID-19.
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The DG NEMA commiserate with the Chief of Air Staff and the Nigerian Air Force over the NAF Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crash

The DG NEMA AVM MA Muhammed (rtd) on behalf of the management and staff of the Agency commiserate with the Chief of Air Staff and the Nigerian Air Force over the NAF Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft that crashed today in Abuja while out on special duties for the Nation.
May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.
The DG sends out his sincere condolences and prayers to the families and loved ones of the deceased.
“It’s a sad day for the Nigerian Air Force family and indeed the entire Nation” he said.
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Relief item distribution by NEMA approved by the President HE Muhammadu Buhari for victims of insurgency in Magumeri and Gubio Local Government Areas of Borno state

NEMA has distributed relief items approved by the President HE Muhammadu Buhari for victims of insurgency in Magumeri and Gubio Local Government Areas of Borno state.
The relief distribution was flagged off by the Director General NEMA AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (rtd) who was represented by NEMA North East Zonal Coordinator Chonoko Isah Ishaya.
A member of the House of Representatives for Magumeri/Gubio/Kaga constituency witnessed the distribution.
The relief intervention consisted of food and non-food items. It would be recalled that some communities in the two Local Government Areas were affected by recent attacks by insurgents.
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Federal Government delivers relief to Nigerian refugees in Chad.

Flag off of the distribution of relief materials approved by the President, Muhammadu Buhari for Nigerian 🇳🇬 refugees in Dar’ salam camp, Baga Sola, Lake Chad Province, Republic of Chad.
The Federal Government delegation led by the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq represented by a Director in the Ministry Alhaji Ali Grema, and comprising an Inter-Agency Committee were in the camp to deliver the relief items on behalf of the President.
The refugees are Nigerians displaced by insurgency in the North East who fled across the border to the neighbouring Republic of Chad.
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As part of strategy for awareness creation and response to dry season fire in Oyo State, NEMA has held a stakeholders meeting and simulation exercise to enhance collaborative efforts among them.

As part of strategy for awareness creation and response to dry season fire in Oyo State, the National Emergency Management Agency has held a stakeholders meeting and simulation exercise to enhance collaborative efforts among them.

The meeting was held in Ibadan. The Director General of NEMA AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (rtd) who was represented by the South West zonal coordinator Mr Lugard Slaku Bijimi said it was deliberately designed with focus on fire prevention and control, crowd management during disasters, effective coordination and risk awareness in the communities. The stakeholders present included representatives of the Federal Fire Service, Oyo State Fire Service, Military, Nigerian Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps.
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Head of Territorial and Operational offices One-Day retreat

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) new Head of Office in Nigeria @OCHANigeria Mr Trond Jensen Friday visited NEMA headquarters in Abuja. He was received by the Director General AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (rtd). Mr Jensen was accompanied by Mr Vincent Omuga also of the UN-OCHA Nigeria, while the Director Planning Research and Forecasting Mr Kayode Fagbemi joined the Director-General in receiving them.
The Director-General of NEMA and new Head of UN-OCHA Nigeria discussed about collaboration between the two organisations with commitment to work towards adding more value for benefit of the distressed.
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UN-OCHA new Head of Office in Nigeria Mr Trond Jensen Friday visited NEMA headquarters in Abuja.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) new Head of Office in Nigeria @OCHANigeria Mr Trond Jensen Friday visited NEMA headquarters in Abuja. He was received by the Director General AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (rtd). Mr Jensen was accompanied by Mr Vincent Omuga also of the UN-OCHA Nigeria, while the Director Planning Research and Forecasting Mr Kayode Fagbemi joined the Director-General in receiving them.
The Director-General of NEMA and new Head of UN-OCHA Nigeria discussed about collaboration between the two organisations with commitment to work towards adding more value for benefit of the distressed.
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Distribution of relief items to IDPs affected by banditry attacks leaving in camping in Basari, Katsina state.

In compliance with directive of President Muhammadu Buhari and subsequent activation by the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq, the National Emergency Management Agency has distributed relief items to Internally Displaced Persons affected by banditry attacks and living in a camp in Batsari, Katsina State. In addition to the relief items, five cows were provided to the camp in celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir with the IDPs that are mostly women and women. The items distributed were
a.     1000 bags of 12.5 kg rice
b.     1000 bags of 25 kg beans
c.      1000 bags of 12.5 kg maize
d.     50 cartons of Milo
e.     50 cartons of powdered milk
f.       50 bags of 50 kg Sugar    
g.     167 cartons of seasoning            
h.     83 cartons of tin tomatoes
i.        2, 000 pieces of blankets                        
j.       2, 000 pieces of nylon mats                   
k.     2, 000 pieces  of foam mattresses        
l.        100 kegs of 20 litres  of vegetable oil  
m.  50 bags of 20 kg salt                                
n.     50 cartons  of omo detergents  
o.     63 cartons  of bath soap             
p.     3,500 pieces  of women’s clothing  
q.     2,500 pieces  of children’s clothing

The IDPs were excited by the kind gesture and appreciated the President, Muhammadu Buhari for providing them with succour. They also thanked the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq and NEMA for prompt delivery of the relief items and even considering them in the celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir

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Mother, four children killed in Abuja flood

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has expressed regrets over the death of a mother and her four children in Abuja on Saturday, after torrential rainfall in Gwagwalada area council that swept away some houses.

Speaking in Gwagwalada after an on the spot assessment of the damage done by the rainfall, the director, planning. research and forecasting of NEMA, Mr. Kayode Fagbemi advised residents of flood-prone areas to immediately move out to avoid more disasters.

He said, “It is unfortunate, especially because we have lost lives. This is exactly what we have been trying to educate people on.

“There is a culvert over there, it’s likely it has been blocked, and so the water had to find its way above the road and then affected the house or houses.

“We still want to educate people, we are still going to have more rainfalls, we want the people to please clear all their drainages, waterways should be cleared of waste, and people should move, people that are close to waterways like this should move.

“We don’t want to lose more lives, we don’t want to lose people. We want people to know that flood this year has been predicted and whatever we can do to save lives we will do”.

READ ALSO: Nine Dead, 20,000 Affected By Niger Floods

Earlier in the year, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Retired Air Vice-Marshal Muhammadu Muhammad cautioned Nigerians residing in areas identified as flood risk areas to evacuate their facilities immediately to avert any form of disaster that may arise as a result of flooding.

According to Air Vice-Marshal, Muhammad about 102 local governments are expected to experience a high rate of flooding, he, however, notes that the agency has put in place measures to mitigate the impact.

In a statement, Mr. Muhammad said Kaura and Zaria local government areas in Kaduna state are among the high-risk areas and urged state emergency management agencies to help sensitize residents and prepare to evacuate communities.

The NEMA DG also advised governments to organise state humanitarian coordination forum meetings in order to prepare stakeholders for mitigation and response to floods when they hit.