By Rukayat Oshiomah
The Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EdoSEMA) has presented the experiences and priorities of Edo State at the ongoing review of Nigeria’s Disaster Management Framework (NDMF) and National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP), contributing to national efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness, response and resilience.
The strategic engagement, held in Lagos State, was organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the World Bank Group and other key stakeholders to review and update the country’s disaster management framework and response plan.
According to the organisers, the review is aimed at ensuring that Nigeria’s disaster management instruments remain responsive to emerging risks, evolving realities and internationally recognised best practices in disaster risk reduction and emergency management.
The Lagos session brought together representatives of states across the Southern Region to assess the existing disaster management framework, share experiences and develop recommendations for improving disaster preparedness, emergency response, recovery and inter-agency coordination.
A similar engagement was held for states in the Northern Region. Following the regional consultations, stakeholders from both regions are expected to converge to deliberate on and adopt recommendations from the sessions, with the ultimate goal of developing disaster management instruments that are better suited to current realities and emerging risks.
EdoSEMA, led by its Executive Secretary, Hon. Jerry Idahosa, shared the State’s experiences and approaches to managing disasters, particularly hazards such as flooding, rainstorms, windstorms and other emergencies affecting communities across Edo.
The Agency’s contributions provided an opportunity to highlight practical lessons from the State while strengthening collaboration with NEMA, the World Bank Group and other critical stakeholders in the areas of disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, preparedness, emergency response and recovery.
EdoSEMA’s participation also underscored the commitment of the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo to building a more proactive and coordinated disaster management system in Edo State.
The administration’s approach places emphasis on prevention, preparedness, early action and effective emergency response to reduce the impact of disasters on lives, livelihoods and vulnerable communities across the State.
