National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) launched the 2025 National Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) on flood disasters and related hazards at Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State. The theme of the campaign was “Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Preparedness and Response,” aimed at bolstering flood disaster response efforts.The campaign was designed to cascade the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) to vulnerable communities identified as high-risk areas.While declaring the program open, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, represented by the South West Zonal Director, Mr. Akiode Saheed, emphasized the importance of disaster risk reduction at the grassroots level. He advocated for the strengthening of Local Emergency Management Committees to ensure efficient and timely response during emergencies.The Oyo State Governor, represented by Mrs. Ojuolape Busari, Secretary of Oyo State SEMA, commended NEMA’s proactive initiative in bringing the program to high-risk communities. She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the event within their various communities to reduce disaster risks.The event featured a presentation on the state’s strategy for the National Preparedness and Response Campaign, offering valuable insights into the expected roles and action plans for relevant stakeholders. A practical demonstration of first aid application by Red Cross officials was also conducted, highlighting the crucial role of first responders in disaster management.To further spread awareness, participants took to the streets to distribute flyers and educate residents on the dangers of indiscriminate dumping of refuse in waterways, which contributes significantly to flooding.The event was well attended by representatives from SEMA, NEMA, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), traditional rulers, NGOs, community leaders, representatives of the local government chairman, and the media.
