From Our Correspondent
Bauchi – May 23, 2025
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched its 2025 National Preparedness and Response Campaign in Bauchi State, urging residents to brace for potential flooding as forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
The campaign, flagged off on Friday, aims to heighten public awareness and strengthen local capacity to respond to natural disasters, particularly in communities identified as high-risk areas.
Speaking at the event, NEMA’s Deputy Director of General Services, Bitrus Samuel, noted that Bauchi remains one of the most vulnerable states to flooding. He said the initiative was a proactive step based on credible early warnings from NiMet.
“We are here because forecasts indicate the likelihood of severe flooding this year,” he said. “It is essential that communities understand the risks and take early action to mitigate them.”
Samuel emphasised the importance of community-based response mechanisms, stating that disasters often begin at the grassroots level and that immediate local action can prevent large-scale loss.
The agency also extended its outreach to key public spaces, including the Muda Lawal Market, which has previously suffered flood and fire disasters. Addressing traders and market leaders, NEMA’s Head of Operations in Bauchi, Simon Katu, stressed that disaster preparedness is a shared responsibility.
“We want to see community-based groups empowered to act before government intervention arrives,” he said. “Preparedness must begin with self-help and awareness.”
Bauchi State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajara Wanka, assured that local governments had been directed to activate emergency response strategies in all flood-prone areas.
Also in attendance were representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Fire Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, underscoring a coordinated inter-agency approach to disaster management.
NEMA reiterated that translating early warning into early action is vital to reducing the impact of natural disasters.
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