In a coordinated effort to enhance emergency response and disaster resilience, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the World Bank Group, and the Kogi State Government held a high-level stakeholders’ engagement on Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP\&R) in Lokoja.
The engagement, held Tuesday, is part of a broader initiative to strengthen disaster management across Nigeria, with Kogi among seven pilot states selected for the EP\&R program—alongside Delta, Anambra, Jigawa, Kebbi, Ondo, and Gombe.
Representing the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr. Bandele Onimode, emphasized the importance of proactive disaster risk reduction. He stated that the program is designed to build resilience in communities most vulnerable to natural and man-made emergencies.
Dr. Onimode highlighted that the initiative aims to reduce disaster-related risks and strengthen institutional capacity at both the state and local government levels.
Mr. Francis Nkoka, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist at the World Bank, commended the collaboration, calling it a vital step toward building safer communities through strategic partnerships and data-driven disaster response planning.
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Hillary Ojoma, expressed gratitude to both NEMA and the World Bank. He noted that the engagement would enhance the state’s ability to manage and mitigate the impact of emergencies, especially in flood-prone areas.
Also in attendance were key players from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Red Cross Society, Ministries of Health, Environment, Humanitarian Affairs, Agriculture, and Information, as well as HYPREP, Federal and State Fire Services, FERMA, DSS, NSCDC, KONGONET, and local emergency desk officers.
The event marks a significant step forward in federal-state collaboration to improve Nigeria’s overall disaster preparedness framework.
