By Odita Sunday
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has called for stronger global and local partnerships to drive Nigeria’s Renewed Hope agenda for sustainable growth.
She made the call while speaking at a special side event on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The high-level panel, themed “Global Partnerships, Local Prosperity: Unlocking Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Blueprint for Sustainable Growth,” brought together top government officials and prospective international partners.
Highlighting NEMA’s shift from a reactive to a proactive approach in disaster management, Mrs. Umar stressed that effective response begins at the community level. “Disasters are local and must first be managed locally before escalating to the federal level,” she said.
She also emphasized the importance of empowering communities to withstand future shocks, noting that partnerships should go beyond donations. “Our goal is to foster collaborations that guarantee empowerment, sustainability, and resilience, ensuring that communities are not only supported in times of crisis but are also better equipped to withstand future shocks,” she stated.
The NEMA boss commended Kaduna State for proactive flood preparedness measures, including mapping higher grounds, establishing camps, and planning ahead of the rainy season.
Reaffirming NEMA’s commitment, Mrs. Umar said the agency would continue working with stakeholders at all levels to build a stronger, more resilient Nigeria.