‎By Olawumi Oyehan

‎The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for strengthened collaboration with the Nigerian Army to boost flood preparedness and disaster response across the country, as authorities warn of heightened flood risks in the coming months.

‎The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, made the appeal at the weekend during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

‎Umar said the need for enhanced partnership had become urgent following flood forecasts issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which indicate increased vulnerability in several parts of the country.

‎She emphasised that effective disaster preparedness and response would depend on sustained collaboration among key stakeholders, particularly the Armed Forces.

‎The NEMA boss commended the Nigerian Army for its longstanding support in emergency operations, describing it as a reliable partner whose engineering assets, logistics capabilities, Disaster Response Units (DRUs), and personnel have been instrumental in search and rescue missions, evacuation efforts, and humanitarian interventions.

‎She specifically requested the continued deployment of military engineering assets and personnel to support flood mitigation and emergency operations where necessary.

‎Umar also disclosed that NEMA plans to conduct flood simulation exercises in selected high-risk areas as part of its preparedness strategy and invited the Nigerian Army to actively participate.

‎She expressed confidence that ongoing cooperation would be further strengthened through joint training, simulation exercises, improved information sharing, and coordinated response mechanisms.

‎In his response, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to supporting civil authorities in disaster management, in line with its constitutional mandate.

‎He assured NEMA of the Army’s readiness to continue assisting in protecting lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure during emergencies nationwide.

‎Shaibu also commended NEMA’s proactive approach to disaster management, noting that recent reforms and strategic initiatives under Umar’s leadership have significantly enhanced the country’s preparedness and response capacity.

‎The visit is part of NEMA’s ongoing strategic engagements with key stakeholders aimed at strengthening national disaster readiness and building a more coordinated and effective emergency management system.