To enhance flood preparedness and strengthen local resilience, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) flagged off its 2025 National Disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) in Osun State through a one-day stakeholder engagement held at the Local Government Service Commission Hall in Osogbo.
The event, themed “Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Preparedness and Response,” was led by the Southwest Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr. Saheed Akiode, representing the Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar. He emphasized the critical role of local governments in disaster prevention and called for the establishment of local emergency management committees and volunteer response teams. Akiode urged communities to take ownership of disaster risk reduction efforts, especially by preventing waste dumping in waterways.
Hon. Emiola Fakeye, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Emergency Management—represented by OSEMA GM, Mr. Abiola Oni—applauded NEMA’s efforts and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to disaster readiness, noting Osun’s high exposure to flooding.
Stakeholders at the event highlighted major flood contributors, such as poor waste disposal, building on flood plains, climate change, and weak regulation enforcement. They advocated for actions like river dredging, strict planning laws, and public education on environmental practices.
Mr. Olanrewaju Kazeem, NEMA’s Assistant Director for Disaster Risk Reduction, unveiled the 2025 NPRC strategy. He noted that Osogbo and Ede North are among the most flood-prone areas in the state, calling for swift and targeted interventions.
A key feature of the event was a flood rescue demonstration by the Red Cross, which underscored the importance of community-level emergency training. The program concluded with the symbolic distribution of First Aid kits to flood-prone communities, reinforcing the campaign’s call for grassroots preparedness ahead of the rainy season.
