NEMA Conducts Flood Assessment, Distributes Aide In Lagos, Kano

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has conducted field operations aimed at mitigating disaster impacts and strengthening emergency response capacity in Lagos and Kano States.

NEMA Lagos Operations Office conducted a post-flood assessment in the Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency, following a formal request for intervention from Hon. Barr. Jesse Joe-Onuakalasu, Member of the Federal House of Representatives.

The Head of Operations, Mr. Olatunde Mohammed, who led the team on Monday, said the mission was aimed at evaluating the extent of damage caused by recent flooding and determining the immediate humanitarian needs of the affected residents.

According to the findings, inadequate drainage systems, poor water channelisation, blockage of canals, and encroachment on floodplains were the major causes of the flood in the Ejigbo, Okota, and Ilasamaja communities.

Though the floodwaters had receded, NEMA noted that the affected areas still required urgent humanitarian support.

As part of its Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) initiative, Mr. Mohammed engaged community members on the importance of maintaining a clean environment and proper waste disposal.

“Disaster management is a collective responsibility. Residents must avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse along drainage channels to prevent recurring floods and disease outbreaks such as cholera,” he advised.

In a related intervention on October 19, 2025, the NEMA Kano Operations Office, in collaboration with the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), kicked off the distribution of relief materials to households affected by recent rain and windstorm disasters in Tudun Wada and Dogowa Federal Constituency.

The distribution exercise was facilitated by NEMA officials, representatives from SEMA Kano, and the Member representing the constituency, Hon. Alhassan Ado Dogowa.

Dogowa commended NEMA and the Federal Government for their swift intervention and described the gesture as timely and compassionate.

“We sincerely appreciate NEMA and the Federal Government for standing with our communities in this time of need,” Dogowa said.

Speaking during the event, Rilwanu Sumaila, an Assistant Chief Accountant who represented the Head of Operations, sympathised with the victims and reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations.

“We urge residents to embrace disaster risk management practices and build community resilience. Beneficiaries should make judicious use of the relief materials provided,” Sumaila stated.

A representative of the beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation to NEMA and the Federal Government for the support, which included both food and non-food items distributed to affected families.

Also, as part of its long-term strategy to develop future disaster management professionals, the NEMA Kano Operations Office organised an induction and awareness training for SIWES students from the Department of Public Health, Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano State, on October 20, 2025.

The agency said the training aimed to expose the students to practical aspects of disaster management and public health emergency response, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and field practice.

“The session was designed to strengthen the students’ understanding of disaster management and equip them with the skills needed to support public health initiatives during emergencies,” NEMA noted in its post.

NEMA reaffirmed its commitment to community engagement, disaster preparedness, and capacity building, while emphasising that effective disaster management requires collaboration, education, and proactive response.