To strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response in the state, the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has concluded a two-day stakeholder workshop.
Head of NEMA Sokoto Operations Office, Alhaji Aliyu Shehu Kafin-Dangi, represented by the Planning, Research, and Statistics Officer, Tukur Abubakar, underscored the need for robust multi-agency collaboration to address the increasing risk of disasters in vulnerable communities.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on SEMA, Aminu Liman Bodinga, commended UNICEF for its continuous partnership and described the event as timely, particularly in light of recent forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) indicating that eight local government areas in Sokoto are at high risk of flooding this year.
This initiative is crucial, especially with the forecast by NIMET and the 2025 flood outlook, which have identified Sokoto among the states likely to be severely affected. We must be prepared to reduce the impact on our people,” Bodinga said.
Discussions focused on improving coordination in critical areas such as food and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, emergency shelter and non-food items (NFI), camp coordination, education, protection, security, and community sensitisation.
The workshop concluded with stakeholders agreeing on key contingency planning measures and pledging to enhance inter-agency cooperation for more effective disaster management in Sokoto State.
Participants were drawn from emergency management agencies, local government authorities, security forces, health officials, civil society organizations, and Local Government Disaster Management Desk Officers.
Also in attendance was Michael Juma, UNICEF’s Chief of the Sokoto Field Office, alongside other UNICEF personnel, highlighting the agency’s commitment to supporting resilience and preparedness efforts in the region.