The National Emergency Management Agency, Kano Operations Office, in collaboration with the Kano and Jigawa State Emergency Management Agencies, on Thursday held a one-day Emergency Preparedness Coordination Stakeholders Meeting in Kano to review 2025 response activities and plan for 2026.
The meeting had the theme, ‘Review of 2025 Emergency Preparedness, and Response Strategic Planning for 2026’.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Operations, NEMA Kano Office, Dr Nura Abdullahi, said the meeting was convened to reflect on past emergency response efforts and strengthen coordination among stakeholders.
Abdullahi said the engagement was aimed at reviewing lessons from emergency preparedness and response activities in 2025, drawing from recent disaster experiences and setting a clear agenda for 2026.
He described the meeting as a forward-looking engagement designed to strengthen collective capacity to save lives and protect livelihoods.
Recalling the recent Singer Market fire incident in Kano, Abdullahi noted that the speed of response and level of inter-agency collaboration underscored the importance of preparedness.
He commended the Kano State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service for their swift response and professionalism during the incident.
Abdullahi also acknowledged the contributions of security agencies, health responders, community volunteers and private sector partners, particularly Aspira Nigeria Ltd., for supporting emergency response efforts.
According to him, emergency management thrives on coordination, clarity of roles and mutual trust among stakeholders.
He said NEMA provides national coordination and technical guidance, while state SEMAs drive community engagement and first-line response, with fire and security agencies ensuring rescue operations and safety.
Abdullahi added that the meeting was expected to produce a communiqué outlining resolutions, actionable strategies for 2026 and a roadmap for strengthening emergency response systems across Kano, Jigawa and neighbouring states.
Declaring the meeting open, the Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Amina Yar’gaya, described emergency preparedness as a key operational strategy in disaster management.
Yar’gaya emphasised the need for cooperation among stakeholders to develop effective strategies for addressing emergencies.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Kano State SEMA, Alhaji Abdullahi Kubarachi, said the meeting would help stakeholders prepare for disasters, particularly flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
Kubarachi said the state government had begun taking proactive measures under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to mitigate disaster risks.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary, Jigawa State SEMA, Hannafi Yakubu-Fagam, said flooding remained a major challenge in the state, especially when water was released from dams in Kano, affecting more than 11 local government areas.
He said the Jigawa State Government had intensified public sensitisation on disaster risks and approved the purchase of flying boats to enhance rescue operations in flood-prone communities.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that stakeholders, including the Watershed Management Agency, the Nigerian Red Cross and other partners, delivered goodwill messages at the event.
