The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has flagged off the National Preparedness and Response Campaign 2026 (NPRC 2026) in Calabar, Cross River State.
The event, which took place on May 14, 2026, at the State Library Complex, Calabar, was organized by NEMA in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA).
The flag-off ceremony brought together major stakeholders in disaster management and emergency response, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Federal Fire Service, State Fire Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Local Emergency Management Committees, Sahel Consult, and other relevant agencies.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who was on her first official engagement in the South-South region since assuming office, commended Cross River State Government for its commitment to disaster preparedness and response coordination.
She noted that the campaign became necessary due to recurring incidents of flooding and other climate-related disasters affecting communities across the country.
The NEMA Director General emphasized the need for Nigerians to take issues of climate change seriously, noting that changes in weather patterns and environmental conditions continue to pose significant threats to lives and livelihoods.
She disclosed that forecasts have indicated that Cross River State is among the states expected to experience heavy rainfall and flooding between June and October 2026.
According to her, early preparedness and coordinated response measures remain critical in reducing the impact of disasters on vulnerable communities.
Mrs. Umar called on State Emergency Management Agencies, Local Government Emergency Management Committees, traditional rulers, volunteers, and community leaders to intensify sensitization efforts aimed at reducing flood risks.
She further urged residents in flood-prone areas to identify safer and higher ground for possible evacuation during emergencies.
The NEMA Director General also stressed the importance of timely information sharing, encouraging communities to promptly report disaster-related incidents to relevant authorities.
In his welcome address, the Director General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Antigha Edem Gill, expressed appreciation to the NEMA Director General for choosing Cross River State for the South-South flag-off of the campaign.
He described the visit as a significant boost to disaster management efforts in the state and reaffirmed CR-SEMA’s commitment to continuous collaboration with NEMA and other stakeholders.
Mr. Edem Gill also welcomed representatives of various agencies and organizations present at the event, noting that effective disaster management requires collective responsibility and sustained partnership.
A goodwill message was also delivered on behalf of the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Her Excellency, Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu. The representative commended NEMA for bringing the campaign to Cross River State and encouraged participants to share knowledge acquired during the sensitization exercise within their communities.
The message further emphasized the need for citizens to keep both the state and federal governments informed of emerging disaster situations to enable timely intervention.
Stakeholders at the event highlighted the impact of flooding on agriculture, noting that farmers remain among the most affected during flood disasters due to disruptions to planting and harvesting activities.
Participants were therefore encouraged to partner with NEMA and CR-SEMA in promoting awareness, preparedness, and community resilience ahead of the rainy season.
By David Asu
