The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has declared its full operational readiness to respond to emergencies during the Yuletide season, as the Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, on Saturday led agency staff on a fitness exercise in Abuja.
The exercise, which involved a five-kilometre route walk, was organised to strengthen physical fitness, teamwork and preparedness among personnel of the agency, in line with NEMA’s role as Nigeria’s frontline emergency coordination body.
Speaking after the exercise, Mrs. Umar said the fitness level and discipline displayed by staff reflected the agency’s preparedness to respond promptly and effectively to emergencies, particularly during periods of increased human and vehicular activities associated with the festive season.
She assured Nigerians that NEMA has activated its nationwide preparedness mechanisms and is working closely with relevant stakeholders, including security agencies and emergency responders, to ensure swift intervention in the event of any emergency during the celebrations.
The Director General also urged members of the public to prioritise safety during the festivities, cautioning motorists against speeding and advising strict adherence to traffic regulations. She further called for vigilance on roads and waterways, at public gatherings and within residential communities.
In a statement signed by Manzo Ezekiel, Head of NEMA’s Press Unit, Mrs. Umar reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, stressing that NEMA remains on standby across its zonal, territorial and state offices to ensure timely emergency response throughout the Yuletide period and beyond.
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Also speaking, NEMA’s Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Bature Usman, explained that the fitness exercise is a routine activity aimed at keeping personnel physically and mentally prepared for emergency response operations at all times.
The exercise was attended by representatives of key stakeholder agencies, including the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), highlighting the importance of inter-agency collaboration in effective disaster management.
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