Nigeria’s seat of power, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, stood still as dignitaries from all walks of life graced the occasion of the 7th Edition of the Silent Heroes Awards 2025.
The event, which took place at the Wells Carlton Hotel & Suites, Asokoro, on Saturday, June 14, 2025, recognises and celebrates individuals and organisations who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields of endeavours and corporate social responsibilities.
Among the 41 dignitaries who were honoured at the event is the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, who bagged the Silent Hero in Emergency Management.
When Zubaida Umar assumed office at NEMA, Nigeria faced mounting climate-related disasters—floods, droughts and fires—compounded by internal displacement and limited infrastructure. Yet rather than default to crisis containment, Zubaida Umar made a bold pivot to invest in risk reduction and institutional readiness. Her mission was clear: build a culture of preparedness, strengthen internal capacity, and decentralise responsibility to empower local actors.
At the heart of Umar’s strategy is a robust emphasis on early warning and early action.
According to her, “Proactive preparation is the cornerstone of effective crisis management.”
Under her leadership, NEMA has prepositioned rescue equipment and coordinated with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) based on seasonal risk forecasts from NiMet.
In 2024, these efforts helped mitigate the impact of floods in several high-risk areas, earning praise from the National Assembly.
Recognising that “all disasters are local”, she launched the National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards, deploying NEMA teams to flashpoint communities across Nigeria.
By urging state governments to identify safer grounds and activate response units, she shifted the narrative—disaster response is not the sole responsibility of federal agencies. “States must take responsibility and not wait for NEMA to intervene,” she declared.
Her insistence on community empowerment reframes emergency management as a shared mandate. The emphasis is on prevention, ownership, and shared responsibility—a decentralised model that builds long-term resilience.
Receiving the award, Umar, who was represented by one of the Directors in the Agency, expressed her joy and appreciation for the honour given to her and NEMA.
She said, “On behalf of the staff and management of the National Emergency Management Agency, it’s an honour to receive the Silent Hero in Disaster Management Award at the 7th edition of the Nigeria Silent Heroes Awards (NSHA).
“This recognition of our selfless service is fulfilling, particularly at a time when, in discharging our duties, we toil day and night responding to incidents, rebuilding communities, and renewing the hope of the people.
“We are delighted that, though we neither wear a cape nor seek applause, our heroic acts of safeguarding our nation are not only seen and felt but also celebrated and remembered.
“I dedicate this award to all emergency responders, particularly individuals who are not duty-bound to show up, for their acts of bravery, compassion, and patriotism. You all are superheroes!”
