By Joy Dennis

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has assured the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of the state government’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the agency to mitigate the impact of flooding across the state.

Fintiri gave the assurance while receiving the Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Yola.

The governor said flooding continues to pose serious challenges to many communities in Adamawa, particularly during the rainy season, leading to loss of lives, destruction of property and displacement of residents almost every year.

He commended NEMA for selecting Adamawa as one of the states for the 2026 National Flood Awareness Campaign, describing the initiative as timely and necessary in view of the state’s past experiences with flooding.

Fintiri also disclosed that the state government was making plans to establish temporary shelters to accommodate displaced persons whenever flooding occurs in any part of the state.

He appealed to the Federal Government and relevant intervention agencies to provide more support for flood victims, especially as the rainy season has commenced in many parts of the country.

“We must sustain collective efforts among government agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and residents to tackle environmental challenges and ensure the safety of lives and property,” he said.

Earlier, the Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, said the visit formed part of activities marking the official flag-off of the 2026 National Flood Awareness Campaign aimed at educating citizens on the dangers associated with flooding.

She explained that, according to predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), about 33 states are expected to experience flooding this year, with Adamawa listed among the vulnerable states.

“Following the devastating floods recorded in previous years and the growing impact of climate change, NEMA has developed several strategies to reduce the effects of flooding. These measures include capacity building, early warning systems, public enlightenment campaigns and collaboration with critical stakeholders,” she said.

Umar also called on traditional rulers and community leaders to intensify awareness campaigns and encourage residents to strictly adhere to safety guidelines.