15/09/2026
EdoSEMA Advances Edo State's Interest in National Disaster Management Review
By Rukayat Oshiomah
The Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EdoSEMA) as representative of the Edo State Government in the ongoing review of the Nigeria’s Disaster Management Framework (NDMF) and Response Plan, has presented the State’s experiences and perspectives to the national effort at strengthening disaster preparedness, response and resilience.
The strategic engagement which was ongoing in Lagos State, was organized by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the World Bank Group and other key stakeholders, as part of efforts to review and update the NDMF and the National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP).
According to the Organisers, the review is aimed at ensuring that Nigeria’s disaster management instruments are responsive to emerging risks, evolving realities and globally recognized best practices in disaster risk reduction and emergency management.
The Lagos Session brought together representatives of states across the Southern Region to review the existing disaster management framework and response plan, share experiences and develop recommendations for improving disaster preparedness, response, recovery and inter-agency coordination. Similar engagement was on for states in the Northern Region, after which both regional sessions, stakeholders from the two regions are expected to converge to deliberate and adopt recommendations from the reviews, with the aim of producing disaster management instruments that are more responsive to current realities and emerging disaster risks.
Models presented by EdoSEMA, led by its Executive Secretary, Hon. Jerry Idahosa during the Session, included priorities and experiences of disaster management in addressing hazards such as flooding, rainstorms, windstorms and other emergencies affecting communities across the State.
EdoSEMA’s participation also provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration with NEMA, the World Bank Group and other critical stakeholders while promoting improved systems for disaster risk reduction, early warning, preparedness, emergency response and recovery.
The Agency’s involvement underscored the Sen. Monday Okpebholo-led administration’s commitment to strengthening proactive and coordinated disaster management in Edo State, with emphasis on prevention, preparedness, early action and effective emergency response to minimize the impact of disasters on lives, livelihoods and vulnerable communities.