In a bold demonstration of her commitment to rebuilding lives through empowerment, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has pledged sustained support for initiatives that promote resilience and self-reliance among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable youth across the country.
Mrs. Umar made the pledge on Saturday during the graduation ceremony of 200 beneficiaries of a vocational skills training programme organized by the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD), Abuja.
The initiative targeted IDPs and other vulnerable youth from communities affected by insecurity and socio-economic challenges, equipping them with essential skills to rebuild their livelihoods and reduce dependence on humanitarian aid.
In her goodwill message, the NEMA Director General emphasized that effective emergency management must extend beyond immediate disaster response to include long-term recovery and empowerment.
“Emergency management goes beyond responding to disasters; it is also about building resilience, restoring hope, and supporting sustainable livelihoods for those affected by crises especially our vulnerable populations, including women, youth, and displaced persons,” she stated.
Mrs. Umar commended the Maryam Babangida Centre for its continued efforts in promoting skills acquisition as a catalyst for empowerment and poverty reduction.
She urged the graduating trainees to apply their newly acquired skills productively to uplift their communities and contribute to national development.
As part of NEMA’s support for the initiative, the Agency provided livelihood support items to the beneficiaries and the Centre to help sustain the gains of the training programme.
Reiterating NEMA’s commitment to strengthening national resilience, Mrs. Umar noted that empowering IDPs and vulnerable persons remains central to building a safer, stronger, and more inclusive Nigeria.
In her remarks, the Director General of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Dr. Vilita Asabe Bashir, expressed appreciation to NEMA for its unwavering partnership and support. She described the collaboration as a practical demonstration of the Agency’s dedication to humanitarian service and sustainable development.
Dr. Bashir explained that the empowerment initiative was specifically designed to help IDPs and other vulnerable individuals from insecurity-affected regions acquire marketable skills and become economically independent.
The event also featured testimonies from beneficiaries and stakeholders who commended the Federal Government and its partners for their commitment to reducing vulnerability through skills development and empowerment.