NEMA newsletter by Sani Datti

Vol. 5 No. 14 February 2013

Mohammed Kanar

Mohammedkanar@yahoo.com

Vol. 5 No. 14 February 2013

08033035986

UN Hails NEMA's Efforts on risk reduction campaign

RUSHA, Tanzania - United Nations Office for the Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) has acknowledged the efforts of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in creating public awareness towards Disaster Risk Reduction strategies.

Musa Ilalla Ag. Zonal Coordinator

Musahk123@yahoo.com

Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG) and UNISDR Chief, Margareta Wahlström made the acknowledgement at the 4th Africa Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Arusha, Tanzania.

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UN Hails NEMA's Efforts on risk reduction campaign pg 1 NEMA partners Nollywood on Disaster Management pg 2 Gov Almakura Lauds NEMA Over Relief Assistance pg 2 Nigeria Donates 1110 Metric Tons of Relief to Mali pg 3

Umesi Emenike Zonal Coordinator

NEMA Deliver Relief To Victims Of Ibadan Storms pg 3

Godwin Tepiko Assistant Zonal Coordinator South-South

NEMA train journalists on disaster reporting pg 6 UN Hails NEMA's Efforts on risk reduction campaign pg 6 2013 flood projection avoidable- NEMA pg 7

Content Supplied by: NEMA Public Relations Division

All correspondences should be addressed to: Public Relations Division, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, No. 8, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Maitama, Abuja. E-mail: nemapress@yahoo.com

Commenting on the loss of 363 lives in the massive flood disaster of 2012 in Nigeria, a country of about 170 million people, Margareta said “We are aware of aggressive campaigns by NEMA Nigeria on disaster risk reduction. The efforts are encouraging and their proactive measures are commendable but the country needs to move beyond Early Warning to Early Action this year to consolidate on the success of the campaigns.” Ms. Wahlström said: "Disaster risk reduction is centre stage for all African countries and is

essential to building resilience to disasters. The will to mitigate the impact of disasters is evident across the continent from the ongoing detailed risk profiling of every district in Ethiopia to the successful early warning systems which Mozambique demonstrated in recent weeks as flood waters engulfed large parts of the country.” Speaking on Nigeria's preparation for the anticipated heavy rainfall in some parts of the country this year, the Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi said: "In line with the Hyogo Framework for Action and the Africa Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and Programme of Action we have initiated more consultations with respective institutions in ensuring that what needs to be done is done to avoid preventive calamities this year. This year will witness more capacity buildings of response agencies and volunteers and probably heavy sanctions and penalties for those found wanting. We have no reason to tolerate failures." He added that: “we will continue to reach out to the media, having recognized their importance a s t h e m a j o r s t a ke h o l d e r s i n t h e

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NEMA partners Nollywood on Disaster Management Emelonye here presents a copy of Last Flight to Abuja to Sani Sidi …Receives Most Responsive Agency Award

n furtherance of its awareness campaign o n d i s a st e r r i s k reduction and mitigation strategies, the N at i o n a l E m e rg e n c y Management Agency (NEMA) is partnering with the Nigerian film industry p o p u l a r l y k n ow n as Nollywood.

“what we have been doing and showcase our ability and capabilities in managing disaster in the country. We would always partner with any project that encourages and promotes positive development and image of Nigeria and Nigerians in disaster management.” The NEMA boss also received the “Most Responsive Government Agency” award on behalf of NEMA from the Centre for Po l i c y Ad vo c ac y a n d Leadership Development (CPALD).

The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad SaniSidi made the disclosure Charles Akingbola, Dr. Charles Agbo and Muhammad Sani-Sidi today while receiving a team of NEMA listen to Obi Emelonye, Nollywood Producer from Nollywood led by the during a presentation to NEMA Management Managing Director Director Nollywood Factory and Executive Producer of “Last Flight to Abuja”, Mr. Obi Emelonye who visited Sani-Sidi in Abuja to present a copy of the film, Executive Director of CPALD Mr. Tunde Salman said one of the which has already been shown in major cities of the world. measurements of good governance is the level of responsiveness by government agencies and that given the Sani-Sidi said the Agency found the Nollywood industry an promptness of NEMA to emergency situations, his organisation appropriate avenue to promote public awareness because most found it worthy to single NEMA out for the award. Nigerians living in every part of the world are keen on watching films from the industry. He added Responding, Sani Sidi dedicated the award to staff of the agency that he said have worked assiduously to ensure that NEMA He expressed delight in the success of the film which projected becomes the number one emergency response agency in efforts in disaster risk reduction strategies in Nigeria. He Africa. congratulated Emelonye for producing an internationally acclaimed film that has attracted positive reviews. “I humbly accept the recognition and assure you that it will ginger us to do more as an agency. We will continue to Sani Sidi told the film producer that NEMA will continue to collaborate with organisations like yours to serve as motivation collaborate Nollywood and others in the industry to project for other agencies”, he said.

Gov Almakura Lauds NEMA Over Relief Assistance overnor Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa has expressed appreciation to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) over the distribution of relief materials to over twelve thousand three hundred (12,300) communal clash victims that occurred in four different local government areas of the state.

The Governor made this known at

Donamo Primary School IDPs camp in than violence as no nation can develop in Lafia during the distribution of relief an atmosphere of violence. materials by NEMA. The relief materials donated worth The North Central Zonal Cordinator Mr. millions of naira included food, non-food A b d u l s a l a m M u h a m m e d w h o items and drugs. represented the Director-General NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi at the direct The affected LGAs were Kokona, Nasarawa distribution of the items urged the Eggon, Doma and Lafia. affected LGAs to embrace peace rather

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Nigeria Donates 1110 Metric Tons of Relief to Mali

omako, Mali- With over 5 0 0 of i t s m i l i t a r y personnel deployed in the ongoing African led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA), Nigeria has handed over a total of 1110 metric tons of assorted relief materials to Malian government for internally displaced persons as a result of ongoing armed conflict in the region. The items were transported in 37 trucks and delivered by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Bamako, Mali. The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi said that the relief intervention was on the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan who urged urgent delivery of the emergency materials to the affected population in addition to the deployment of a contingent of the Nigerian military to ensure a return to normalcy in Mali. The items he said comprised foods, clothing, household utensils, detergent, antiseptic, mosquito nets and beddings. The NEMA's Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Charles

Mamadou Sidibe at the Nigerian Embassy in Bamako, said the humanitarian gesture was in line with mutual cooperation and the friendly relations between the two countries, saying the gesture also demonstrates collective solidarity towards sustaining peace and stability in the West African subregion. Malian Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Momodou Sidibe receives relief items from Ambassador Ali Iliya of Nigeria at a ceremony

Otegbade who led the team of aid and emergency workers to Mali said “the recent draught and the ongoing armed conflict in Northern Mali, occasioned by insurgency and rebellion has created a serious humanitarian crisis and displacement of persons in the country. It becomes necessary for friendly nations to render logistic and humanitarian assistance and to restore normalcy and avert the spillover of the unfortunate event to the border areas of Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritain and other countries of the sub-region”

Receiving the items, Malian minister of humanitarian affairs Mamadou Sidibe described the gesture as timely, and therefore thanked people and g ove r n m e n t of N i g e r i a fo r t h e humanitarian effort which he said will further strengthen the existing ties between the two countries.

“Our country and people indeed appreciate Nigeria's participation in the ongoing military support mission in northern Mali and we shall remain grateful for this gesture”, he said. The minister, who assured that the relief items will be delivered to the victims within a week, said Mali urgently needs humanitarian assistance following the Nigeria's Ambassador to Mali Mr Iliya Ali closure of Mauritanian and Algerian Nuhu, who presented the items to the borders because of the ongoing armed Malian minister of humanitarian affairs conflict in northern Mali.

NEMA Deliver Relief To Victims Of Ibadan Storms

badan, Nigeria- As windstorm wreaked havoc in Ibadan, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) delivered relief items to assist the affected residents to rebuild their homes which were destroyed by the disaster.

Director of Relief and Rehabilitation of Mr Eugene Eze of NEMA who delivered the items in Ibadan alerted of the predicted high rainfall this year and urged communities to cooperate with the government in preparations ahead of likely floods which may occur in many parts of the country. This, he said the Agency has already commenced a series of consultation and awareness to prevent the disaster where possible and minimize the impacts in unavoidable circumstances. Eze said the relief items were delivered on behalf of the Federal Government to provide succor to their plights. A member of the House of Representatives representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, Ibrahim Olaifa whose area was affected by the storms and witnessed the delivery of the relief items commended the timely response of NEMA to the

disaster. He however, urged the Agency to remain focus and proactive especially in the face of the increasing incidence of disasters in the country. Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State Ayodeji Aleshinloye also appreciated NEMA for the relief assistance noting that the gesture was timely and complementary to the earlier intervention from the state and local governments. The items delivered were building materials which included bags of cement, bundles of roofing sheets, nails, planks as well as bags of rice and other household items for the affected persons in Oluyole, Ibadan North East and Ibadan South West Local Government Areas of Oyo State. It will recall that communities in the identified three local government areas of Oyo State were devastated by the windstorms which occurred on Sunday 17th February 2013. The following day after the disaster, NEMA officials were at the affected areas and conducted the rapid assessment based on which the relief items were approved and delivered to the affected residents.

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NEMA train journalists on disaster reporting

he National Emergency Ma n ag e m e n t Ag e n c y, NEMA North East zonal Office Maiduguri said that it would train journalists on how best to report disasters in the region.

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2013 flood projection avoidable- NEMA

The Zonal Coordinator, Musa Illallah, stated this shortly after his remarks at the stakeholders' meeting on NIMET's predictions for the zone.

Kanar said that NEMA would organise a one-day sensitisation workshop on the role of media in disaster management and reporting in the region.

“It is in view of the aforementioned that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is organizing workshops for critical stakeholders and media practitioners at the Zonal level on the role of the media in reporting emergencies and sensitisation for checkmating the reoccurrences of flood related disasters,” Kanar said.

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his year's flood forecast by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) in some states in the North could be managed and its consequences avoidable, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) North West disclosed.

Alhaji Abubakar Kanar, the North East Zonal Coordinator of the agency, disclosed this in a statement issued in Yola.

The statement explained that the workshop was designed to sharpen t h e te c h n i q u e s of m e d i a practitioners from the zone on the role of the media in proper reporting of the agency's activities and emergencies.

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NEMA South East Zonal Coordinator Dr. Onimode Abdullahi with dignitaries at training workshop for media and information managers in disaster management in Enugu

The coordinator noted that the recent flood disasters that claimed several lives and property, and displaced many communities needed appropriate management. According to him, the essence of disaster management was to protect people's lives, properties and the environment in general. “The key to attaining success is the

involvement of all jurisdictions, sectors, disciplines and resources in an organised and coordinated manner. “The media is viewed as a critical stakeholder in information dissemination; before, during and after emergencies,” he said. Kanar added that more than 50 different media organisations are expected to receive the training.

UN Hails NEMA's Efforts on risk reduction campaign Continue from pg 1 implementation of disaster risk reduction activities. While we have created some social media platforms to engage with the increasing online citizens in Nigeria, we have sustained our relationship with various spectrums of media including the electronic, online and print in our advocacy for disaster resilient cities." Also at a special media workshop for mostly South and East Africa African media practitioners at the 4th Africa Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction , the Head of Public Relations of NEMA, Yushau Shuaib, supported by an ICT Consultant, Tom Obey demonstrated how NEMA as an agency of government used various media channels to inform and update the public on major disasters in the country in 2012. Yushau Shuaib said “the greatest weapon for a success of any public spirited programme is sincerity of purpose and mutual relationship with the media. Though there were various challenges during response and intervention efforts, we issued truthful, responsible and prompt information to the media

especially during the Dana plane crash saga, suicide bombings and devastating flood.” Shuaib added that “online banners, radio jingles, TV documentaries and bulk SMS were also utilised in deliberate efforts to reach wider targeted audience.” The 4th Africa Regional Platform concluded at the weekend with a detailed set of commitments and recommendations on the complex challenges Africa faces due to surging economic growth, rapid urbanisation, climate change and a wide range of natural hazards. Participants at the conference who came from 40 countries across Africa made contributions on shaping the international framework for disaster risk reduction which will follow on from the current Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) which expires in 2015. The UNISDR Chief, Margareta Wahlström is expected in Nigeria in June 2013 to meet with stakeholders and media practitioners on the impact of disaster risk reduction strategies in country. She will also seek the support of private sector in the drive.

NIMET had, in its 2013 report Seasonal Rainfall Prediction 2013, predicted that the expected rainfall and temperature patterns over the country in 2013 “have implications in the Zone which rainfall is likely to be abnormal in comparison to 2012 rainfall, particularly in Kebbi and Sokoto states.”

NEMA NWZ Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Musa Ilallah granting interview to the press

Illallah said: “It is avoidable as long as we will sit down and review and take action, and so it is avoidable. We are meeting so that we put heads together, steps will be taken, there may be flood, but it may be minimal. And we have contingency plans learned from last year.” He appealed to residents of the mentioned states not to turn deaf ears to NIMET predictions. “We must all contribute our

quota towards making our communities more habitable, safer and free of any threats to lives, property and the environment. Climate change and the hazards it poses are real.” In his presentation, the Principal Training Officer of NEMA, Aliyu Shehu Kafindangi, said “The SRP not only gave the annual rainfall, it predicted that temperature will peak gradually from February in the coasted areas to April in the North.”

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 1.CALL NEMA EMERGENCY CALL CENTER ON: 0800CALL NEMA or (080022556362) -TOLL FREE 0929O5777 092905895 08032003555 2. To give the following information: a. Location of incidence, Accident or Emergency. b. Name of street or location. c. Prominent landmarks. d. Type of Emergency (Fire, Road, Accident, Floods e.t.c ). e. Number of people involved. f. What actions are being taken by agencies on the site, no. of Ambulances e.t.c. g. Any other useful information. PLEASE NOTE THAT QUICK AND CLEAR INFORMATION WILL ENHANCE QUICK RESPONSE AND CONSEQUENTLY THE SAVING OF PRECIOUS LIVES.

for the sake of the distressed

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4th African platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, Arusha, Tanzania

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Distribation of relief materials to victims of communal crisis in the IDPs in Nasarawa State