The Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has organised a stakeholders’ training and sensitisation programme for members of the Local Emergency Management Committees across the 16 Local Government Areas of the State.

The programme was aimed at strengthening disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response at the grassroots level.

Speaking at the event in Ado-Ekiti, the State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Adeleke Adefolaju, described the training as timely and strategic in view of the increasing occurrence of disasters caused by climate change, environmental degradation, population growth, and human activities.

She noted that effective disaster management requires collaboration among government agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, religious bodies, security agencies, and residents.

According to her, the establishment of Local Emergency Management Committees in the 16 LGAs of the State is a major step towards ensuring that communities are well prepared to prevent and respond to emergencies before they escalate into major disasters.

The Deputy Governor disclosed that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had predicted that Ekiti State may experience flooding in 2026.

She added that the state has witnessed various disasters over the years, including rainstorms, floods, and fire outbreaks, but that the administration of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji had consistently supported victims through the provision of relief materials and cash grants.

Afuye urged residents to shift their focus from disaster response to disaster prevention and encouraged participants to make good use of the knowledge gained from the training.

She also assured them of the State Government’s continued support for disaster management structures at both the state and local government levels.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the SEMA Board, Alhaji Ademola Bello, said that disaster management is a collective responsibility that cuts across all sectors of society.

He explained that the state government established Local Emergency Management Committees to ensure that disaster management efforts reach the grassroots.

Bello also appealed to local governments to make budgetary provisions for emergency preparedness and response.

The General Manager of SEMA, Mr. Oludare Asaolu, commended Governor Oyebanji for his commitment to disaster risk reduction and public awareness programmes.

He said the governor has consistently provided funds for sensitisation campaigns aimed at promoting environmental safety and preventing disasters.

According to him, the training programme was designed to translate national forecasts into practical, community-based actions that can be easily understood and implemented at the local level.

In a Goodwill Message , the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, represented by Mrs. Adesola Fadiran, lauded the State Government for its proactive approach to building the capacity of stakeholders and communities to prepare for and mitigate the impact of flooding.

He described flooding as one of the most devastating natural disasters and stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in strengthening community resilience.

The South-West Zonal Director of NEMA, Mr. Saheed Akiode, who represented the Director-General of the agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, emphasised that flooding is often worsened by human activities such as indiscriminate waste disposal, blockage of drainage channels, construction on waterways, deforestation, and poor urban planning.

He urged community leaders and residents in flood-prone areas to pay attention to early warning messages, keep drainage systems clear, avoid building on floodplains, and cooperate with emergency agencies.

Mr. Akiode reiterated NEMA’s commitment to promoting proactive disaster management through early warning systems, public sensitisation, community-based disaster risk reduction, and strengthened local preparedness mechanisms.

Delivering a lecture at the programme, disaster management expert, Dr. Olumide Obe, highlighted key disaster risk reduction measures, to include early warning systems, putting in place evacuation plans, infrastructure protection, and the stockpiling of emergency supplies such as food, water, and other essential items.

He stressed that proper planning and preparedness are crucial to reducing the impact of floods and safeguarding lives and property.

The training brought together stakeholders from across the state to enhance local capacity for disaster preparedness and response ahead of the peak rainy season.