The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has led staff of the Agency on a fitness exercise in Abuja, declaring NEMA’s full operational readiness to respond promptly and effectively to emergencies during the Yuletide season and beyond.
The exercise, which involved a route march of approximately five kilometres, was organised to promote physical fitness, teamwork and operational preparedness among NEMA personnel, in line with the Agency’s mandate as Nigeria’s frontline emergency coordination body.
Addressing participants at the end of the exercise, Mrs. Umar expressed satisfaction with the fitness level, discipline and preparedness of staff, stressing that physical and mental readiness are essential for effective emergency response, particularly during periods of increased human and vehicular movement associated with the festive season.
She assured Nigerians that NEMA has activated its nationwide preparedness mechanisms and is working closely with relevant stakeholders, including security agencies and other emergency responders, to ensure rapid intervention in the event of any emergency during the celebrations.
The NEMA boss also urged members of the public to remain safety-conscious throughout the festive period, advising motorists to avoid speeding, obey traffic regulations and exercise caution on roads, waterways, public spaces and within residential areas.
Mrs. Umar reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, noting that NEMA remains on standby across its zonal, territorial and state operations offices to facilitate timely response to emergencies during the Yuletide season and in the days ahead.
Also speaking, the Director of Search and Rescue at NEMA, Air Commodore Bature Usman, said the fitness exercise is a routine activity aimed at keeping personnel physically and mentally prepared for emergency response operations at all times.
The exercise attracted participation from key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), highlighting the importance of inter-agency collaboration in effective disaster response.
