NEMA tasks households, schools on disaster preparedness

By Rita Iliya

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Niger State has urged households and schools to adopt proactive safety measures to prevent disasters and mitigate their impact on lives and property.

Mr Hussaini Isah, Head of Operations, NEMA Minna Operations Office, stated this on Wednesday at an event to mark the 2026 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR).

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed annually on Oct. 13 to promote global awareness and action towards reducing disaster risks and strengthening resilience.

The theme of the day is: “Resilience Starts at Home.”

Isah said disaster prevention must begin at the household level by embracing simple safety practices that could reduce risks and strengthen community resilience.

He said keeping surroundings clean, clearing drains, preparing for emergencies and responding promptly to early warnings were essential measures individuals and families should adopt to mitigate disasters.

According to Isah, disaster risk reduction requires a collective commitment by the government, emergency management agencies, individuals and families to protect lives and property.

He said that while government agencies provide early warnings, public education, coordination and emergency response, citizens must complement these efforts by taking responsibility for safety in their respective environments.

The NEMA official said the day was commemorated to raise awareness and encourage practical actions towards building safe homes, schools and communities.

Isah said the event featured a road walk to sensitise residents to the importance of disaster prevention and preparedness.

He urged students to apply the safety knowledge acquired during the exercise and share it with their families, friends and communities.

Isah described students as potential agents of change whose awareness and actions could help promote a culture of safety and preparedness at the grassroots.

Dr Zainab Ndanusa, Chief Disaster Risk Reduction Officer, NEMA, said the theme was particularly relevant to students because the knowledge and skills acquired could help them identify risks and respond appropriately to emergencies.

Ndanusa urged the students to put the lessons learnt into practice, stressing that their understanding of disaster risks could contribute to safer homes, schools and communities.

Also, Audu Yohana of the Niger State Fire Service said disasters could not be completely eliminated, but their impact could be reduced through effective prevention and preparedness.

Yohana warned that failure to prevent or mitigate disasters could result in huge expenditure on emergency response and recovery, in addition to the potential loss of lives and property.

He stressed the need for individuals and communities to take preventive measures seriously rather than wait for disasters to occur before seeking intervention.

The event was attended by representatives of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service, Niger State Fire Service, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Red Cross Society, among others.

(NAN)