By Leonard Okachie
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on flood disaster.
The campaign, held in Umuahia, focused on flood-related hazards and early preparations ahead of the rainy season.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise carried the theme, ‘Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria’.
The initiative aims to reduce disaster impacts through improved preparedness, risk reduction and community involvement.
Representatives of ministries, departments and agencies attended the launch alongside security agencies and disaster management stakeholders.
Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) and community leaders also participated in the stakeholder engagement.
NEMA Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, warned that recurring floods require urgent and collective action.
Umar, represented by South East Zonal Director, Mr Walson Ibarakumo, said early preparation was essential.
“Each year, lives are lost, livelihoods are disrupted, and infrastructure worth billions of naira is damaged,” she said.
She added that communities suffer injuries, displacement and loss of valuable resources during flooding incidents.
Umar cited the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction by NIMET and the Annual Flood Outlook by NIHSA.
She disclosed that 23 states, including the FCT, covering 132 LGAs, are at high flood risk.
The NEMA boss also said 14 states with 148 LGAs were classified as moderate flood risk areas.
She noted that NEMA’s Flood Early Warning System had produced vulnerability maps for affected communities.
“These risk profiles will guide targeted planning by governments and relevant stakeholders,” Umar said.
She called for stronger collaboration among federal, state and local authorities to reduce flood impacts.
The Executive Secretary of Abia State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Sunday Jackson, said Abia faced flood risks.
Jackson explained that seven of Abia’s 17 LGAs were forecast to experience moderate and high flood risks.
“These LGAs cut across Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South Senatorial zones,” he said.
He said the campaign covered the entire state because unexpected flood incidents had occurred previously.
Jackson commended Gov. Alex Otti for supporting disaster management initiatives across Abia.
He added that further sensitisation programmes would be conducted throughout the state.
Deputy Director, Disaster Risk Reduction, NEMA, Dr Evans Ugo, presented strategies from the 2026 climate predictions.
Ugo urged SEMA to extend the campaign to LGAs and communities for better preparedness.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Morebole, said flooding remains a major challenge.
Represented by Director of Information, Mr Uma Ibem, he urged residents to participate actively.
“Together we shall build a sustainable, resilient and flood-free Abia,” Morebole said.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr Ikechukwu Oriuwa, highlighted ongoing mitigation efforts.
He said the state had carried out flood and erosion control works at 13 locations.
The projects across several LGAs were described as climate adaptation measures to protect communities.
After the engagement, NEMA and SEMA teams visited Mgbarakuma-Ubakala community in Umuahia South LGA.
The visit was part of efforts to take flood preparedness messages to residents directly.
NEMA Head of Operations for Imo and Abia, Mr Nnamdi Igwe, urged residents to form a Community Emergency Management Committee (CEMC).
He said the CEMC would support local disaster risk reduction.
Igwe advised residents to clear drainages and avoid constructing buildings on waterways.
He also encouraged communities to identify evacuation routes and heed early warning messages.
The Village Head, Mr Nze Amadi, appreciated NEMA and SEMA for the awareness programme.
Amadi pledged that the community would establish a Community Emergency Management Committee. (NAN)
