The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has urged State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) to deepen collaboration and synergy for more effective disaster management at the grassroots and sub-national levels.

She made the call on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the opening of the National SEMA Conference held at the Balmoral Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos. The conference, hosted by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) in partnership with NEMA, brought together heads of SEMAs from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

Mrs Umar stressed the need to shift emergency management from a reactive to a proactive approach. “Emergency management can no longer be reactive—it must be predictive, preventive, and participatory. Our citizens should not encounter us only when disaster strikes; they should see us every day, building safer communities, raising awareness, and ensuring preparedness,” she said.

Describing the conference as “a call to action,” the NEMA DG highlighted the shared responsibility of stakeholders in protecting lives, safeguarding property, and building resilient communities. She also commended LASEMA for decentralising response units, deploying technology, and engaging communities, noting that Lagos has set an example of what is achievable with vision and commitment.

Umar pledged NEMA’s commitment to strengthening early warning systems, improving data and forecasting, expanding grassroots capacity-building, and ensuring transparency and accountability in all interventions.

In a goodwill message, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to disaster preparedness and applauded NEMA and LASEMA for hosting the conference in Lagos.

In recognition of her leadership in disaster risk reduction, Mrs. Umar was decorated as an Honorary Member of the Risk Managers Society of Nigeria (RIMSON) by its President, Dr. Idris Abbas.

The conference also featured technical presentations by experts, including Dr. Adeleke Olusegun Pitan on “Strengthening Disaster Preparedness at the Sub-National Level,” Mr. Ade Ipaye on “Legal, Policy and Revenue Reforms as Enablers of Emergency Management,” and Mr. Bamgbose Martin on “Emergency Services: A Clarion Call.”

According to LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu, the gathering provided a structured platform for stakeholders to deliberate on strategies that will strengthen preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience across the country.

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said that the power generated and distributed from the state’s independent power plant will not be free and that Bayelsans will pay for the service.

According to a press release on Thursday, October 2, 2025, signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri clarified on Wednesday when he visited the project site to inspect six out of the eight new 60mw gas turbines procured by the state government at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area.

The power equipment and its accessories arrived in the state about a week ago.

Accompanied by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, chairman of the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Solomon Agwana, the Commissioner for Power, Kharin Komuko, and other government officials, the Bayelsa governor told journalists that people of the state were upbeat about the prospect of 24-hour power supply by the end of this year.

He explained that consumption would be metered and paid for as the government had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Jampur Group for establishing a customised metering production plant in the state.

He said, “I had given the end of this year as a deadline for this project, and we are sticking to that. Hopefully, before Christmas, we will have these turbines fired up and by God’s grace, Bayelsa will begin to have 24 hours of uninterrupted power supply.

“We are actually expecting eight gas turbines, but six have arrived, and I have been assured that the remaining two, with some accessories, will be here next week. These are the most modern gas turbines.

“Initially, we planned to have two very large plants, but later, the experts advised that there could be a blackout if one of them breaks down. So I had to approve the eight.

“As you know, to maintain this equipment and the gas to fire it, even though it is on our soil, we will spend money to procure it from the company. So it is not free. For there to be constant electricity, everybody must pay for it. It is pay as you consume.”

The Commissioner for Power, Mr. Kharin Komuko, who also spoke, described the project asa dream come true for the ASSURED Prosperity administration.

He said when the governor first spoke about it, there was open cynicism by critics of the government and thanked him for making good his promise.

Also, Managing Director of the Bayelsa State Electricity Company, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, who explained the role of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) in the state’s IPP project, said the Electricity Act had grey areas that were interwoven to ensure that all legacy distribution companies were carried along.

Kemenanabo said the state and PHEDC were working together to avoid any legal tussle between the franchise owners and the distribution network.

He further stated that the PHEDC existing network, which has over four hundred transformers in the state, would be utilised for power distribution.

Speaking on behalf of the Jampur Group, technical partners to the state electricity company, the Project Manager, Mr. Sharif Abu, described the gas turbine project as very crucial and sensitive, noting that the precise time schedule for completion would be met.

The governor also inspected sites of the ongoing construction of the 25,000-capacity stadium at Igbogene and the nine-storey civil servants secretariat project at Ovom, both in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

Others who accompanied the governor were the member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 in the House of Assembly, Chief Ayibanengiyefa Egba, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, among others.

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said the procurement of a 60-megawatt gas turbine by his administration was a milestone worth celebrating by the state as it turned 29 on October 1, 2025.

According to a press release on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri also stated that when fully installed, it would not only guarantee 24-hour power supply in the state but would also create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

The Bayelsa governor stated this in a statewide broadcast on the twin occasion of Nigeria’s 65th Independence and Bayelsa’s 29th statehood anniversary on October 1, 2025.

While congratulating Nigeria’s leader, President Bola Tinubu, as well as the people of the country and Bayelsa on the anniversary celebrations, Governor Diri expressed the hope of better days ahead.

According to him, his Assured Prosperity administration continues to progress with landmark projects, including the nine‑storey state secretariat complex that would provide efficient administrative space for public servants.

Senator Diri equally stated that the ongoing construction of the 25,000‑capacity stadium would foster youth development as the facility would inspire young people and showcase Bayelsa on a larger scale.

He said: “The recent arrival of the 60‑megawatt gas turbines mark a major milestone and brings us much closer to reliable, round‑the‑clock power in our state. That development will reduce household expenses, attract investment, create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

“Work is also progressing well on other landmark projects. The nine‑storey State Secretariat complex is advancing steadily and will provide modern, efficient administrative space for our public servants and the people they serve. To foster sports and youth development, we are building a 25,000‑capacity, Olympic‑standard stadium — a facility that will inspire our young people and showcase Bayelsa on the national and international stage.

He also spoke about developments in the education sector where the state had recorded significant progress in academic performanceand infrastructure upgrade.

“Our schools are improving. Recent NECO results have shown strong performances by our students, with Bayelsa among the top five states in Nigeria. To deepen pragmatic education, we have established science, technical and vocational colleges in every local government area.

“The ones at Ayamasa, Ofoni, Swali, Sampou and Opume have been completed and functional while others are nearing completion in Brass, Igbeta‑Ewoma and Oporoma.”

While admonishing the people to reflect on the state’s and nation’s history and hope for a better future, the Bayelsa chief executive urged them to renew their collective commitment to unity and hard work.

“The road has not always been smooth. Some ask why we continue to commemorate this day. The answer is simple: self‑determination matters.

“As Bayelsans, we have spent almost three decades making our own decisions, setting our own course and running our own race. That capacity is a cause for celebration and a responsibility we must discharge with wisdom and humility.”

The Bayelsa governor maintained that the narrative about the homogeneous Ijaw state was on the upswing and that there was much to be grateful and hopeful for.