The National Emergency Management Agency has recorded improved emergency response and institutional reforms under the leadership of its Director-General, Zubaida Umar, in the past year.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the NEMA Press Unit, which said the agency’s performance aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the statement, NEMA strengthened its operational response nationwide, particularly in handling floods, fire outbreaks, building collapses, road traffic crashes, insurgency-related displacement and other humanitarian emergencies.
It said the agency’s faster deployment of search and rescue teams, relief materials and technical support to affected states helped reduce response time and ease human suffering, especially among flood-prone communities, internally displaced persons and victims of market fires.
The statement added that NEMA also improved inter-agency collaboration with state emergency management agencies, the military, paramilitary organisations, non-governmental organisations and development partners, resulting in better coordination and reduced duplication of efforts.
On institutional reforms, NEMA said regular training programmes, simulations and workshops were organised for staff at the headquarters and zonal offices to improve capacity in disaster risk reduction, search and rescue and relief distribution.
It noted that the leadership of the agency emphasised planning, data-driven decision-making and accountability, repositioning NEMA from a largely reactive body to one focused on preparedness, early warning and risk reduction.
The agency said the Director-General received several awards and commendations during the year from professional bodies, civil society groups and humanitarian stakeholders in recognition of her contributions to disaster management.
According to the statement, the recognitions reflect growing public confidence in NEMA and Nigeria’s improving profile in emergency management within the West African sub-region.
It also stated that the DG prioritised humane and transparent treatment of disaster victims, particularly women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
NEMA expressed optimism that with sustained political support, improved funding and continued institutional strengthening, the agency would play a stronger role in safeguarding lives and livelihoods in the coming year.
If you want, I can:
shorten this further for Punch online,
make it hard-news tighter (less narrative), or
adjust the headline angle (Renewed Hope, emergency response, floods).
