…Pushes Early Preparedness
From Maryam Shuaibu, Jigawa
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has intensified efforts to reduce the impact of flooding and other climate-related disasters in Jigawa State, urging residents and stakeholders to embrace early preparedness measures ahead of the 2026 rainy season.
The call was made during the flag-off of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards held at the State Secretariat Conference Hall in Dutse.
Speaking on behalf of NEMA Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the North-West Zonal Director, Mr. Aliyu Shehu Kafindangi, emphasized that disaster management should focus on prevention and preparedness rather than emergency response alone.
He noted that the annual campaign is designed to raise public awareness on flood risks, promote early warning dissemination, and strengthen collaboration among government agencies, humanitarian organizations, security institutions, and local communities.
According to Kafindangi, timely action and coordinated planning are critical to minimizing the devastating effects of floods and other climate-induced hazards that continue to threaten lives and livelihoods across vulnerable communities.
A major focus of the engagement was the need for communities to pay close attention to forecasts contained in the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), which indicate potential risks associated with flooding, prolonged dry spells, and extreme weather conditions.
NEMA’s Chief Disaster Risk Reduction Officer, Mr. Isa Abdulkasir, led a technical session on Anticipatory Action, highlighting the importance of acting before disasters occur through risk-informed planning, early warning systems, and strategic interventions.
He explained that proactive measures can significantly reduce humanitarian crises, economic losses, and damage to critical infrastructure.
Speaking at the event, Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hon. Hannafi Yakubu Fagam, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to disaster preparedness and emergency response.
Fagam stressed the need for stronger partnerships among stakeholders to build safer and more resilient communities across the state.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu, who represented Governor Umar Namadi, commended NEMA for sustaining the nationwide awareness campaign and strengthening cooperation with state governments.
The campaign concluded with stakeholders pledging to improve coordination, public awareness, and preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of disasters throughout the 2026 rainy season.