By Kehinde Erin
The Kogi State Government is seeking to strengthen its partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to provide more effective support to the state’s residents.
This call for collaboration aims to enhance the delivery of interventions, ensuring that those affected by disasters or emergencies receive timely and adequate assistance.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, emphasised the importance of this partnership during a meeting with NEMA’s Abuja Operational Office in Lokoja recently.
The Governor also acknowledged the impressive emergency management efforts made possible by NEMA’s collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and other stakeholders, demonstrating his appreciation for the effective coordination and response to emergencies in the state, particularly in areas such as Omala, Dekina, Lokoja, and Kogi local government areas.
Governor Ododo congratulated Mr. Abubakar Zekeri, the newly appointed Head of the Abuja Operational Office of NEMA, wishing him a successful and productive tenure.
He highlighted various interventions for Kogi residents. These initiatives included the distribution of federal government grain palliatives, as well as targeted interventions in specific local government areas, such as Omala, Dekina, Lokoja, and Kogi.
Notably, the state also launched a pilot program focused on women’s volunteer disaster risk reduction management. This program aims to educate women in flood-prone areas, empowering them to take action and mitigate the risks associated with disasters.
Governor Ododo reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to effective disaster management, highlighting its recent allocation of over N34 million as compensation to victims of a devastating fire disaster in Lokoja.
The Director of NEMA’s Abuja Operational Office, Mr. Abubakar Zekeri, shed light on the agency’s objectives during their visit. According to him, NEMA aimed to establish a stronger connection with the Kogi State Government, facilitating a collaborative effort to enhance their intervention strategies.
Mr. Atima Muktar, Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, expressed his gratitude to NEMA for their visit, acknowledging the significance of their collaboration.
He also praised Governor Ododo and his deputy for their unwavering commitment to the state’s development, highlighting their efforts to foster partnerships with various organizations adding that this move aligns with Governor Ododo’s vision to drive development in Kogi State through strategic collaborations.