The National Emergency Management Agency has announced that it is fully prepared to respond swiftly and efficiently to emergencies during the Yuletide period and in the weeks that follow.
The declaration was made on Saturday as the Director General of the Agency, Zubaida Umar, led staff members on a fitness exercise in Abuja, an activity that also served as the platform to officially publicise NEMA’s emergency response lines.
The fitness session involved a route walk of approximately five kilometres and was organised to enhance physical wellbeing, strengthen teamwork, and reinforce operational readiness among personnel, in line with NEMA’s role as Nigeria’s lead emergency coordination body.
The exercise was designed to ensure that staff remain physically and mentally alert, especially during a season characterised by increased travel, public gatherings, and heightened risk of accidents and disasters.
Addressing participants at the conclusion of the exercise, Umar expressed satisfaction with the level of discipline, fitness, and preparedness displayed by NEMA staff. She stressed that physical readiness plays a vital role in the ability of emergency responders to act promptly and effectively, particularly at a time when human and vehicular movements surge across the country.
She reassured Nigerians that the Agency has fully activated its preparedness structures across all states and zones of the federation. According to her, NEMA is working closely with relevant partners, including security agencies, first responders, and other critical institutions, to guarantee rapid and coordinated intervention whenever emergencies arise during the festive season.
The Director General also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and safety-conscious throughout the celebrations. She advised motorists to avoid speeding, obey traffic laws, and exercise caution on roads and waterways, as well as at social events and within residential areas, where risks often increase during festive activities.
Umar reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, noting that NEMA remains on high alert through its zonal, territorial, and state offices nationwide. She emphasised that these operational units are fully positioned to ensure timely and effective responses to any emergencies that may occur during the Yuletide period and beyond.
In his remarks, the Director of Search and Rescue at NEMA, Air Commodore Bature Usman, explained that the fitness walk forms part of the Agency’s routine activities aimed at keeping personnel consistently prepared for emergency response duties. He noted that maintaining both physical and mental fitness is essential for the demanding nature of disaster management operations.
The exercise also witnessed the participation of representatives from key partner agencies, including the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Federal Road Safety Corps. Their involvement highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in strengthening disaster preparedness and ensuring effective emergency response across the country.
What you should know
NEMA is Nigeria’s central agency for coordinating disaster response and emergency management.
During festive periods like the Yuletide, risks associated with road accidents, overcrowding, fires, and other emergencies often increase due to higher levels of travel and social activities. By activating nationwide preparedness mechanisms and working with security and emergency agencies, NEMA aims to reduce response times and limit loss of lives and property.
Public cooperation through safe behaviour, adherence to traffic rules, and prompt reporting of emergencies is critical to the success of these efforts.
