The Director General National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, has emphasized the critical need for states to adopt proactive and sustained measures in disaster risk reduction.
She made the remarks on Sunday, 10th August 2025, through the Director Planning Research and Forecasting NEMA Dr Onimode Abdullahi Bandele who representer during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ondo State, ahead of the official flag-off of the Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Project in the state.
She commended the Ondo State Government for its forward-thinking approach to disaster management, noting that the inclusion of Ondo among the seven states selected for the EPR project was a recognition of its preparedness and proactive governance.
She stated that the project, implemented in collaboration with the World Bank, aims to strengthen early warning systems, enhance community resilience, and ensure timely response to emergencies, including flooding and sea incursion.
In his response, the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, reiterated his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property through deliberate and strategic disaster prevention measures. He said the state was honoured to be among the pilot states, stressing that the selection was not due to extreme vulnerability, but rather the administration’s proactive policies on flood control and environmental protection.
“We are intentional and deliberate about preventing emergencies, especially in the area of flood control,” Governor Aiyedatiwa said. “The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, has been mandated to ensure that our people are protected through effective policies, infrastructure, and sensitization.”
The Governor also highlighted the state’s efforts to address the recurring sea incursion challenge in Aiyetoro Community and surrounding areas, noting ongoing engagements with the Federal Government and development partners to find a sustainable and lasting solution.
The courtesy visit and flag-off ceremony brought together key officials from the Ondo State Government, NEMA, the World Bank, and other stakeholders, marking a significant step in strengthening coordinated emergency preparedness and response in the state.
11th August, 2025
