NEMA launches multi-day flood response simulation exercise in Rivers
Abdullateef Fowewe
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Rivers State Flood Management Committee, has commenced a multi-day Flood Response Simulation Exercise in Rivers State, code-named Exercise Iji Gbaje-Ugbo.
The initiative follows the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Annual Flood Outlook issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
NEMA announced on X (formerly Twitter), the exercise is “aimed at testing inter-agency coordination, enhancing response efficiency, and strengthening community preparedness to mitigate the impacts of predicted flooding.”
The first day kicked off with an opening ceremony in Akinima Town, Ahoada West Local Government Area, hosting stakeholders from four high-risk LGAs—Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Abua Odual, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni—as well as delegates from other flood-prone areas.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director General of NEMA, represented by Director of Search and Rescue Air Commodore Kenneth Oyong, praised the Rivers State Government for their support, urging participants to “take the training seriously” and stressing that “the lessons gained should be cascaded to communities to improve resilience in the face of predicted flooding.”
The Administrator of Ahoada West LGA, in his goodwill message, highlighted “the importance of proactive preparedness in line with NiMet and NIHSA forecasts,” while Mr. Godwin Tepikor, Zonal Director of NEMA South-South, emphasized the need for “attentiveness and knowledge transfer at the grassroots level.”
Day One featured two technical presentations:
• Mr. Kenoma Ojuederie, Head of Operations, Edo Office, discussed “2025 Climate-Related Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Strategies.”
• Chief SARO John Digha focused on “Safety Concerns in Search and Rescue/Evacuation during Flood Emergencies.”
However, a panel discussion chaired by Air Commodore Oyong, with representatives from NEMA, NiMet, NIHSA, and other agencies, provided a forum for extensive participant engagement, with questions thoroughly addressed.
Key stakeholders attending included representatives from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, Nigerian Immigration Service, the Rivers State Flood Emergency Management Committee, Bayelsa SEMA, community leaders, market associations, local divers, boat operators, and various NEMA directorates.
The day ended at 3:30 p.m. after rich exchanges. The exercise will continue with realistic field drills and demonstrations to test search and rescue operations, evacuation procedures, relief distribution, and community engagement strategies to ensure Rivers State is better equipped for potential flooding in 2025.
