Gov. Kabir-Yusuf Sets Up Committee for Disaster Management Bill
Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano State has announced that the government has set up a committee to sponsor a State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Ecological Funds Bill in the House of Assembly.
Kabir-Yusuf made this known on Thursday while declaring open a two-day Disaster Risk Management Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting in Kano.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was organized by Kano SEMA in collaboration with the Lagos, Jigawa, and Katsina SEMAs.
The gathering brought together critical stakeholders to enhance effective coordination, synergy, and response during emergencies.
The governor stated that the meeting aimed to strengthen emergency preparedness, response, and resilience strategies for sister agencies from Lagos, Jigawa, Katsina, and other key stakeholders.
Represented by Alhaji Adamu Aliyu-Kibiya, the Kano State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Kabir-Yusuf said the meeting would foster idea-sharing and strengthen inter-state collaboration on disaster management and rapid response strategies.
“The Kano State Government has established a committee to explore the possible establishment of the SEMA Ecological Funds to address emergency issues and the Humanitarian Intervention Trust Fund.
“Having a replica of an Emergency Operation Centre in Kano will be immensely beneficial for emergency response planning, search and rescue operations, and relief distribution, among other interventions,” Kabir-Yusuf said.
The Executive Secretary of Kano SEMA, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi-Kubarachi, described the meeting as timely.
Abdullahi-Kubarachi emphasized that “preparedness saves lives, livelihoods, money, and property,” adding that disasters often occur without warning and can be either natural or man-made.
“This meeting is essential for enhancing our collective ability to manage emergencies effectively,” he said.
He urged the public to handle fire with care by switching off electrical appliances when leaving home or going to bed to prevent fire outbreaks.
He also advised residents to clear their drainage systems to minimize flooding during the upcoming rainy season.
The Coordinator of the NEMA Kano Territorial Office, Dr. Nura Abdullahi, reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering support in advancing disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response efforts.
“In recent times, we have witnessed incidents such as floods, building collapses, fire outbreaks, and other emergencies.
“Let us focus on early warning systems, rapid response mechanisms, effective communication strategies, and public awareness campaigns.
“A proactive and integrated approach among all stakeholders, including first responders, NGOs, community leaders, and the private sector, is essential to safeguarding people and assets,” he said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of Lagos SEMA, Dr. Oluwafemi Damilola, described disaster management as a collective responsibility.
“Managing disasters is holistic. Disaster management is everybody’s business,” Damilola said.
NAN reports that the event was attended by representatives of NEMA, the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Red Cross, as well as federal and state Fire Services, among other organizations.
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