Bauchi, Nigeria – May 2025 – As Nigeria braces for another year of unpredictable weather, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has officially launched its 2025 National Preparedness and Response Campaign in Bauchi State — one of the country’s most flood-prone regions — aiming to empower locals ahead of anticipated disasters.
In a sensitisation event held Friday in Bauchi, NEMA’s Deputy Director of General Services, Mr. Bitrus Samuel, disclosed that early warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had painted a grim picture for several Nigerian states, with Bauchi sitting high on the flood risk chart.
“We no go just siddon wait make flood destroy people life and property,” Samuel stated. “We dey act early this year, based on warning wey NiMet don give.”
He emphasized that the campaign isn’t just federal rhetoric — it’s a boots-on-the-ground intervention meant to educate and equip locals. The ultimate goal, he said, is to ensure communities are not just aware of the risks, but are fully armed with the knowledge to avert them.
“Flood dey start from community level. If dem sabi wetin to do, dem go fit reduce di damage before government fit even respond,” he added.
Grassroots Focus & Stakeholder Involvement
NEMA didn’t just stop at speeches and flyers. The campaign extended into the heart of Bauchi’s economic activity — the Muda Lawal market — where the agency engaged traders and community leaders.
Mr. Simon Katu, another NEMA official, emphasized the importance of involving everyone — not just government agencies — in emergency readiness.
“Preparedness no be only government work. Make communities organise, volunteer, and set up their own self-help structures,” Katu charged, adding that such grassroots networks are the first responders before official help can reach.
State Government’s Commitment
In a passionate response, Hajara Wanka, Bauchi State’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, confirmed the state’s commitment to the effort.
She revealed that Governor Bala Mohammed had already issued executive orders mandating local councils to immediately begin community-level preparedness programs in high-risk zones.
“This initiative is about saving lives, reducing losses, and building disaster-resilient communities,” Wanka said. “We are not just preparing to respond. We are preparing to prevent.”
With the rainy season drawing closer and the risk of floods hanging like a sword over vulnerable communities, NEMA’s campaign is a wake-up call not just to Bauchi, but to every flood-prone region in Nigeria.
Whether the proactive push will yield long-term behavioural change and effective disaster management will only be revealed in the coming months.
Stay tuned as we continue to monitor preparedness efforts and community-level responses across Bauchi and beyond.
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