By Ibrahim Kado
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the campaign is “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria”
Speaking at the campaign in Yola, NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar said the campaign is designed to drive early and coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods during the 2026 rainy season.
According to her, the theme of the campaign underscores the need for stronger institutions, clear responsibilities and proactive collaboration across all levels.
Umar said, the recurrent impact of flooding in Nigeria demands an urgent and collective response.
“Each year, lives are lost, livelihoods are disrupted, and public and private infrastructure worth billions of naira is damaged.
“Communities also bear the burden of injuries, displacement, and the loss of life savings due to unmitigated flood events and their secondary effects”, she said.
Umar said according to the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, 33 states including the FCT, fall within high flood risk zones.
She added that in response, NEMA convened an expert review meeting to assess the implications of the forecast and the analysis indicates potential changes.
“These factors are expected to affect key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, transportation, energy, water supply, education and overall public well-being” she said.
The director general further called on all stakeholders to amplify the early warning messages to prevent avoidable flood disasters, saying it was everybody’s responsibility.
In her address, Dr Celine Laori, Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), appreciated NEMA for choosing Adamawa for the inauguration of the campaign.
She said Adamawa is predicted to be at high risk for the 2026 flood and urged traditional religious leaders to spread the message across their respective communities.
Speaker of the Adamawa House of Assembly, Bathiya Wisely urged NEMA to put Adamawa in the Frontline list for disaster support due to the recurrence of disasters in the state.
Wisely who was represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Special Duties, Sunday Peter also emphasised the need for stakeholders to reach out with messages to people at the grassroots (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)