The Director General of the 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 Monday, 22nd September 2025, at the official opening of the Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Project in Kano State.
Represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr. Onimode Abdullahi Bandele, the Director General reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to strengthening disaster mitigation and risk management across the country. She stressed that empowering sub-national governments to effectively identify and undertake their responsibilities was central to building national resilience.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar commended the Kano State Government for its forward-thinking approach to disaster management, noting that the selection of Kano as one of the seven pilot states for the EPR project was in recognition of its commitment to disaster prepraedness. She explained that the World Bank–supported project is designed to strengthen early warning systems, enhance community resilience, and ensure timely response to emergencies, including flooding.
In his speech, the Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Kibiya, reiterated the administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property through deliberate and strategic disaster prevention measures.
The Governor also highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle recurring flooding in vulnerable communities, pointing to sustained engagements with the Federal Government and development partners toward achieving lasting solutions.
Also speaking at the event, the World Bank Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Mr. Francis Nkoka, explained that the workshop was aimed at identifying disaster risks peculiar to Kano State and strengthening coordination among stakeholders. He noted that building synergy between government institutions, communities, and partners was crucial in ensuring an effective and sustainable emergency preparedness framework.
The event brought together senior officials from the Kano State Government, NEMA, the World Bank, and other stakeholders, marking a significant milestone in strengthening coordinated emergency preparedness and response mechanisms in the state.
23rd September 2025
