By Our Correspondent
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in partnership with the States Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) and other stakeholders have held a workshop on the update of the countrywide risk analysis for Nigeria.
TheNewsZenith reports that NEMA convened the two-day workshop with technical support from UNICEF.
Speaking at the event, NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said that Nigeria’s Hazard Risk Analysis was a vital prerequisite for developing the National Contingency Plan.
Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr Onimode Bandele represented the D-G.
Umar informed that the agency carried out the first risk analysis in 2021 across all the six Geo-Political Zones with technical support from UNICEF.
According to her, the analysis covered 12 different risks in the Local Government Areas (LGA) including floods, epidemics, conflict and violence.
She said that the Harzard risk analysis provides the risk profile to the local government level. It ranks them according to their severity and impact.
“The analysis will is due for review periodically to be in tune with the present reality of hazards in Nigeria.
“NEMA also launched the National Contingency Plan, alongside five sub-zonal plans (for 24) states) in 2023.
“This was to disemminate finalised products, including risk analysis, and contingency plans to relevant stakeholders,” Umar said.
Also speaking, Mr Olayinka Afolabi, an Emergency Specialist at UNICEF, said that since 2021, UNICEF has been assisting NEMA in data collection and analysis of hazard risks in Nigeria.
Afolabi said that the collaboration has been enhancing the country’s readiness and response to crises.
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This is evident by providing essential baseline information for preparedness and humanitarian actions.
“Data collected serves significant reference point for the government and development partners. It offers a comprehensive view of Nigeria’s risk landscape,” Afolabi said.
He explained that UNICEF is committed to further supporting NEMA in evaluating changes to the country’s risk profile.
“The ongoing partnership will strengthen NEMA’s ability to coordinate disaster management effectively.
“This collaboration will position NEMA as a key hub for disseminating information to enhance nationwide response interventions,” UNICEF specialist said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu acknowledged the effort of the state government in emergency management.
Oke-Osanyintolu underscored the importance of updating the Hazard risk analysis for the country. He described it as a core part of disaster management.
He thanked NEMA and UNICEF for organising the workshop.
TheNewsZenith reports that officials of SEMA from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara and Edo attended the event.
Others stakeholders were the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Neimet and Primary Health Care Development Agencies.
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