FIC REPORT (BENUE STATE) – The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Benue State Government through the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (Benue-SEMA), has commenced a two-day Full-Scale Flood Disaster Response Simulation Exercise in Benue State to strengthen preparedness and response to flood emergencies.
The exercise, code-named “MWAR UMA,” meaning “Saving Lives,” was declared open on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, by the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Mimidoo K. Kadev, at the Fr. Alia Conference Hall, Benue-SEMA Headquarters, Makurdi.
The exercise is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, the World Bank and other development partners.
Governor Alia expressed appreciation to NEMA and the development partners for supporting the State’s efforts to strengthen its preparedness and response capacity through practical simulation exercises.
He noted that flooding remained a major hazard in Benue due to its extensive river systems, floodplains, seasonal rainfall and settlements located around waterways.
The Governor highlighted some interventions by his administration to mitigate the impact of flooding, including the construction of canals, drainage systems and roads, which he said were aimed at reducing flood risks and protecting lives and livelihoods.
He stressed that effective flood management required strong coordination among government institutions, emergency responders, security agencies, traditional and community leaders, development partners and affected communities.
Governor Alia therefore urged participants to take the simulation exercise seriously and use it to identify existing gaps, test response mechanisms and improve coordination in the event of actual flooding.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Benue-SEMA, Sir James Iorpuu, PhD, represented by the Head of Administration, Mr. Atii Samuel Atii, welcomed the NEMA delegation, representatives of UNDP, UNICEF, the World Bank and other participants to the State.
He commended NEMA for its continued efforts to strengthen flood preparedness through public awareness, simulation exercises and community engagement.
He said improved coordination among stakeholders would enhance the State’s capacity to respond effectively to emergencies, save lives and protect property.
The Acting Zonal Director, North-Central Zone of NEMA, Mr. Suleiman Muhammad, who led the exercise, said the simulation was designed to test and improve early warning and early response systems, search and rescue operations, evacuation procedures and coordination among emergency responders.
Muhammad explained that the exercise would also familiarise participants with the bottom-up emergency response approach, beginning with Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), progressing to State Emergency Management Agencies and, where necessary, escalating to NEMA at the Federal level.
In a goodwill message, the representative of UNDP, Dr. Sunday Andorbe Amama, commended NEMA for its leadership and technical professionalism in strengthening disaster preparedness, emergency response and resilience across Nigeria.
He described the exercise as a practical demonstration of the importance of strong partnerships and collective commitment to building disaster-resilient communities.
The two-day exercise features technical sessions and presentations on the 2026 Climate-Related Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Strategy, safety concerns in search and rescue and evacuation in flood waters, as well as panel discussions on effective disaster response and coordination.
Participants include officials of NEMA and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Benue-SEMA, Federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies, security agencies, emergency responders, humanitarian and development organisations, traditional rulers, community leaders, representatives of LEMCs and other critical stakeholders.
The exercise is expected to strengthen institutional coordination, improve emergency response mechanisms and enhance the capacity of stakeholders to minimise the impact of flooding and protect lives and livelihoods across Benue State.
VERONICA AZEMBA
For Head of Center FIC Makurdi
