In line with the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction by NiMet and the NHSA flood outlook, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has flagged off its National Disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) in Oke‑Isagun, Lagos. The initiative, themed “Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Preparedness and Response”, aims to build grassroots resilience and reduce flood disaster impacts across the state.
Representing NEMA’s Director‑General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Comr. Justin Uwazuruonye stressed the urgent need for local action. He called for the establishment of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) and volunteer disaster response teams across communities, highlighting that disaster risk reduction is a shared responsibility. “Government alone cannot do it all. Residents must be educated about disaster prevention, especially the dangers of indiscriminate waste disposal in waterways,” he stated.
Community leaders pledged to carry the message to their people, underscoring the importance of collaboration among stakeholders. Goodwill messages from participants identified root causes of flooding — such as waste disposal habits, building on flood plains, climate change impacts, and lax enforcement of regulations — and advocated for practical measures like regular dredging of waterways, tighter enforcement of building codes, and ongoing public awareness.
A Red Cross Society demonstration of basic life‑support techniques further emphasized the value of community‑level training. The program concluded with the presentation of First Aid kits to flood‑prone communities, reinforcing NEMA’s call for a proactive, communal approach to disaster preparedness and resilience ahead of the 2025 rainy season.
