– Calls for more investment in resilience
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Kano Operations Office on Monday joined the global community to commemorate the 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), with a strong call for governments and stakeholders to prioritize funding for resilience and preparedness over post-disaster response.
The event, themed “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,” was held at the agency’s premises in Kano and brought together representatives of key emergency and response ininstitutions.
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Among the participants were officials from the Federal Fire Service, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Kano State Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Others in attendance included Executive Secretaries of the State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) of Kano and Jigawa States, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and non-governmental organizations working in disaster management and humanitarian response.
Speaking at the event, the Head of NEMA’s Kano Operations Office, Mr. Nura Abdullahi, emphasized the need to shift focus from emergency funding after disasters to sustained investment in risk reduction, preparedness, and community resilience.
“When we fund resilience, we reduce loss of lives, property, and the socio-economic disruptions that often follow disasters,” he said. “Our priority should be strengthening systems and communities to prevent crises before they happen.”
As part of the day’s activities, NEMA showcased its operational equipment and emergency response assets to the participants, demonstrating its readiness to handle various disaster situations in the region.
The event also featured the presentation of an award of recognition to Mr. Abdullahi by the Initiative for Health, Rescue and Risk Reduction (IHRAR) in appreciation of his leadership and contribution to disaster management and risk reduction across Kano and neighboring states.
Stakeholders at the event reaffirmed their commitment to closer collaboration, increased investment in resilience-building initiatives, and continuous public education on disaster preparedness.
The celebration ended with a group photograph and renewed pledges to strengthen disaster management structures and create safer, more resilient communities across Northern Nigeria.
