Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for organizing a Simulation Exercise on Flood Disaster Response (SIMEX) in the state.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, the governor said the exercise was timely and crucial as Kebbi is among the states projected by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to experience flooding this year.
The statement noted that the governor, represented by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Empowerment, Alhaji Muhammad Hamidu-Jarkuka, described the simulation as vital in boosting preparedness and protecting lives and property.
Governor Idris assured residents that his administration would continue to partner with relevant stakeholders and agencies to mitigate flood risks across the state. He also urged people living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer locations and adhere to expert advice from NiMet.
Speaking during the exercise, NEMA Director-General, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, represented by Air Commodore Kenneth Oyong, said the agency had moved away from “table-top” drills in Abuja to practical community-level simulations.
“Our mission in Kebbi is to conduct a hands-on simulation exercise to engage local communities and first responders, who are always at the receiving end of disasters,” she said, adding that similar exercises were recently held in Anambra and Kano States.
Also speaking, the North-West Zonal Director of NEMA, Alhaji Sani Lokoja-Alhaji, stressed that preparedness saves lives, reduces losses, and strengthens community resilience.
He said flooding—caused by heavy rains, river overflows, or infrastructure failure—poses severe risks to vulnerable communities, especially with the increasing effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
“This exercise is not just a drill but a vital capacity-building activity. It allows us to practice real-life emergency scenarios in a controlled environment so that when actual disasters occur, our response will be faster, more efficient, and better coordinated,” Lokoja-Alhaji said.
He commended the state government, SEMA, and other partners in disaster risk reduction for their commitment and active involvement.
