NEMA DG Takes Disaster Safety Campaign to Abuja Primary School Pupils
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has intensified efforts to build disaster awareness among young Nigerians by taking disaster risk reduction and safety education directly to primary school pupils in Abuja.
Mrs. Umar made the call during an interactive sensitisation visit to LEA Primary School, Durumi, Abuja, where she educated pupils on disaster prevention, safety consciousness, and emergency response measures as part of NEMA’s grassroots awareness campaign.
The initiative was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Head of Press Unit of NEMA, Manzo Ezekiel, on May 1, 2026.
Addressing the pupils during the visit, the NEMA Director-General stressed the importance of developing basic safety habits early in life, noting that disaster preparedness should begin at the community and household levels.
She educated the children on simple but critical steps to prevent common emergencies such as fire outbreaks, flooding, and accidents resulting from unsafe play environments.
Mrs. Umar urged the pupils to remain vigilant and always report dangerous situations or hazards to teachers, parents, and responsible adults.
“Disaster risk reduction is not only the responsibility of emergency responders, but a shared duty that begins with awareness, preparedness, and responsible behaviour at the community level,” she stated.
The NEMA boss explained that introducing children to disaster preparedness concepts at an early stage would help build safer and more resilient communities across the country.
According to her, the agency is committed to promoting a culture of safety among Nigerians through continuous public enlightenment and grassroots engagement.
The sensitisation programme featured an interactive question-and-answer session where pupils were educated on different types of disasters and the roles they can play in promoting safety within their schools, homes, and communities.
The school outreach forms part of NEMA’s broader national strategy aimed at taking disaster risk reduction education beyond formal institutions and into communities nationwide to strengthen public preparedness and resilience against emergencies.
