2025 FLOOD PREPAREDNESS: NEMA AND KOSEMA ENGAGE KOGI STATE RADIO CORPORATION AND KOGI STATE GRAPHICS NEWSPAPER FOR STRONGER COLLABORATION IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Following the release of the 2025 seasonal climate prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Nimet), the team of National Emergency Management Agency Head Abuja Operations Office and Kogi State Disaster Response Team, paid advocacy visit to the Director General, Kogi State Radio Corporation, Hajia Nana Hauwa Yussuf.

In his opening remarks, NEMA Head Abuja Operations Office, Alhaji Zakari Abubakar, emphasized that disaster management is multidimensional and there is need to enhance Collaboration in emergency preparedness and response strategies. He futher reiterated the importance of the partnership between Kogi SEMA and the radio station in building disaster campaigns and community resilience to flooding.

During this visit, the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Alh Mouktar Atimah, said that the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has charged Disaster Response Team to ensure safety of lives and property in any forms of disasters, adding that the visit is to ensure further exploration of joint initiatives, foster robust collaboration with the Radio station to disseminate crucial flood safety information to the public and community mobilization network, especially the use of different local languages.

Responding, the Director General Kogi State Radio Corporation, Hajia Nana Hauwa Yussuf, appreciated National Emergency Management Agency Abuja Operations Office and Kogi State Disaster Response Team for the timely visit. Her words on key points discussed include the importance of collaboration, dissemination of information to the grassroots and giving necessary support as Radio Station is being recognized as one of the critical stakeholders in disaster management.

In a similar vein, the team extended the visit to Kogi State Graphics Newspaper and the team was received by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Y. J. Itopa.

In his remarks, Zakari emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration to effectively mitigate the impending flood, stressing the role of Graphics Newspaper in disaster management.

According to the Executive Secretary KOSEMA, we are directed by the Chief Servant of the State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, to ensure effective mitigation of anticipated flood. By collaborating together, the disaster responders can leverage on their strengths to promote safety tips, information on evacuation procedures, and flood’s sensitization at the grassroots.

While responding, the Managing Director Kogi State Graphics Newspaper, Mr Y. J. Itopa, thanked the team for the visit, and assured them of the Agency’s readiness to collaborate with SEMA for effective sensitization on flood disaster to the public.

The visit brought together key stakeholders in disaster management, including the Special Adviser on IDP to Kogi State Governor, Hon. Jibrin Ibrahim, as well as Special Adviser on SEMA to Kogi State Governor, Dr. Sandra Musa, who gave vote of thanks.

Signed
Salau Ibrahim ,information officer ,SEMA