The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Kano Operational Office, in collaboration with the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has organized a one-day Emergency Preparedness Coordination Stakeholders Meeting aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness and response in Kano and Jigawa states.
The meeting, held on Thursday at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Conference Hall, was convened under the theme “Review of 2025 Emergency Response Activities and Strategic Planning for 2026.”
It brought together a wide range of stakeholders involved in emergency management and disaster response.
Participants included representatives of federal and state fire services, security agencies, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy Logistics School, 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, Disaster Response Units, the National Orientation Agency, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, and Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority.
Others are the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Department of State Services, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, National Inland Waterways Authority, Nigeria Police Force, Kano State Wide Emergency Communication and Coordination Centre, health agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector partners.
In his welcome address, the Head of Operations at the NEMA Kano Office stated that the meeting was organized to review emergency preparedness and response activities carried out in 2025, draw lessons from past experiences, and collectively develop a strategic agenda for 2026.
He stressed the importance of effective coordination, timely information sharing, and clearly defined roles among stakeholders for efficient emergency management.
He also recalled the recent Singer Market fire incident in Kano, noting that it highlighted the need for preparedness, rapid response, and sustained inter-agency collaboration. He commended the Federal Fire Service and Kano State Fire Service for their prompt and professional response, as well as other agencies that played vital roles in managing the incident.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Executive Secretaries of the Kano and Jigawa State Emergency Management Agencies, the Branch Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Executive Secretary of WECCMA, and the Commandant of 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, Bukavu. They all reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in emergency preparedness and response.
The meeting featured presentations on lessons learnt from emergency response activities in 2025 and discussions on the way forward.
An interactive session was also held on setting the 2026 Emergency Preparedness and Response Agenda, during which participants deliberated on priority hazards, preparedness measures, coordination mechanisms, and stakeholder responsibilities.
Participants highlighted the critical role of the private sector in emergency management, with special appreciation extended to Aspira Nigeria Limited for its continued support through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives that complement government efforts.
At the end of the meeting, stakeholders adopted key resolutions in a communiqué aimed at improving coordination, strengthening preparedness, enhancing fire prevention and response, improving data management, and promoting community engagement in emergency management.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by all stakeholders to work collaboratively to improve emergency preparedness and response across Kano and Jigawa states.
