By
Gloria Abutu
The National Emergency Management Agency has launched the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards in Yola, Adamawa State, with renewed calls for proactive measures to reduce the impact of flooding across the country.
Delivering a keynote address at the stakeholders’ engagement, the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, described flooding as a recurring national challenge that demands “urgent and collective response.”
She said the campaign, themed “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria,” is aimed at promoting “stronger institutions, clearer responsibilities, and proactive collaboration across all levels.”
According to her, predictions by relevant agencies indicate that 33 states, including Adamawa, may experience flooding and other climate-related challenges capable of affecting agriculture, healthcare, transportation, education, and livelihoods.
Umar explained that NEMA has developed a 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework, with measures including capacity building for local responders, strict adherence to flood advisories, and development of community evacuation plans.
In an address, the Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, ADSEMA, Dr. Celine Laori, noted that the state suffered huge human and material losses from previous flooding, describing the campaign as an anticipatory initiative aimed at averting avoidable loss of lives and property.
Also speaking, Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Delu Bulus, urged stakeholders to take early warning messages seriously and remain proactive.
In a presentation, NEMA Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, Dr. Ishaya Chonoko, said the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction indicates that Adamawa State will experience significant rainfall, with seven local government areas expected to be highly affected.
He called for collaboration among stakeholders in disaster risk management and urged communities to support awareness campaigns aimed at protecting lives, property, and economic activities during flooding.
Other stakeholders at the event commended NEMA for the sensitization campaign and pledged support towards effective disaster preparedness and response.
Earlier, the NEMA Director General paid a courtesy visit to Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri at the Government House, Yola, where the governor assured that the state government would strictly implement measures to reduce flooding risks.
Governor Fintiri recalled the devastating flooding experienced in the state last year and said strategies had already been put in place to minimize losses.
He also appealed to the Federal Government for special funding to support affected communities.
