Precious Obogo
The Director General (DG);of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has called for enhanced collaboration with the Nigerian Army to strengthen flood preparedness, disaster response, and emergency management across the country.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar made the call during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
The Director General explained that the request had become imperative in view of the heightened flood risk predicted for several parts of the country by relevant forecasting agencies, including the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). She noted that effective preparedness and response would require sustained collaboration among critical stakeholders, including the Armed Forces.
She commended the Nigerian Army for its longstanding partnership with NEMA in emergency operations across the country, describing the Army as a dependable partner whose engineering assets, logistics capabilities, Disaster Response Units (DRUs), and personnel have continued to play vital roles in search and rescue operations, evacuation of affected communities, and humanitarian interventions during disasters.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar specifically requested the continued deployment of the Army’s engineering assets and personnel, where necessary, to support flood mitigation and emergency response operations. She also informed the Chief of Army Staff of NEMA’s plans to conduct flood simulation exercises in selected locations as part of ongoing preparedness measures and invited the Nigerian Army to actively participate.
The Director General further expressed appreciation for the existing cordial relationship between NEMA and the Nigerian Army, expressing confidence that the partnership would be further strengthened through regular joint training, simulation exercises, information sharing, and coordinated emergency response operations.
In his response, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to supporting NEMA in disaster management in line with its constitutional responsibility of providing military assistance to civil authorities when required.
He assured the Director General that the Nigerian Army would continue to complement NEMA’s efforts in protecting lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure during emergencies and disasters across the country.
The Chief of Army Staff commended NEMA for its proactive approach to disaster management, noting that the reforms and strategic initiatives introduced under the leadership of the Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, have strengthened the nation’s disaster preparedness and response capacity.
The visit forms part of NEMA’s ongoing strategic engagements with key stakeholders aimed at strengthening national preparedness and building a more coordinated and effective disaster management system.