In line with SEMA mandate and purposeful leadership, the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), Alhaji Mouktar Atimah led the management team on a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Elder Joel Oyibo Salifu, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State.
The Executive Secretary SEMA, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, said that the purpose of the visit was to introduce SEMA management team and brief him on NIMET’s Seasonal Climate Prediction(SCP) unveiled in February, 2024.
He mentioned the various relevant Agencies that play critical role in disaster management which SEMA team has visited. He also, briefed the Deputy Governer the contents of their robust discussions with Agencies visited centered on collaboration, synergy, continued support and action plans that could enhance adequate preparation ahead of any disaster, especially the 2024 flood predicted by Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET).
He stated that the information obtained from various relevant Agencies visited so far was highly educative, assured the Deputy Governor/SEMA Board Chairman on effective service delivery by his Agency.
Responding, Deputy Governor reiterated the commitment of His Excellency, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo to kogites and his willingness to address their challenges. He emphasized the importance of the State Emergency Management Agency in disaster Management and therefore promised to give the Agency the very needed support.
He equally added that prompt communication and feedback mechanism would place SEMA and State Government on the same page, and allowed SEMA to give record of stewardship to the Executive Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
In his closing remarks, the Deputy Governor thanked the SEMA management for the visit and commended the SEMA Boss’s efforts, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, for the progressive pathway his leadership has placed the Agency.
In a similar way, SEMA management equally paid courtesy visit to the Command Naval Base in Banda-Lokoja. The team was received by the Head of disaster management unit, Commodore MM Epelle.
The Executive Secretary SEMA, hinted that the purpose of the visit was on familarization and collaboration. He further expressed the readiness of his Agency to partner with critical stakeholders that have vital roles in disaster management. He informed the Commodore MM Epelle and his team the predictions on flood occurrence released by NIMET and NHISA.
He seeked for committed support and creative ideas or useful information that could enhance policy solution, and expressed his willness to disseminate quickly, such information to the State Government because His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has political will, and already committing his precious time, energy and fund to make life better for the good people of Kogi State.
In his response, Head of disaster management unit, Commodore MM Epelle, appreciated the SEMA Executive Secretary’s efforts and the courtesy visit. He said the visit further strengthened synergy between SEMA and Command Naval Base in Lokoja.
He reiterated that Command Naval Base aware NIMET’s predictions on flood occurrence and the Command has planned to hold meeting with critical stakeholders in no distant time to discuss possible measures of averting or reducing effects of natural disasters, especially the awaiting flood that has been predicted.
Disaster management required heavy logistics, and advised SEMA management to embrace prompt communication with State Government on disaster challenges. He further buttressed emphatically the statement avowed by SEMA Boss that His Excellency, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, has “political will” to make every sector works in Kogi State. He added.
He thanked SEMA management and pledged enhanced collaboration.
The courtesy visit was extended to Kogi State Fire Service and received by Director of the Agency, Mr Salihu Ozigi Umar.
In his opening remarks, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, said the primary aim of the visit was to explore ways of deepening a long standing relationship between the two sister Agencies.
He solicited for rubost partnership, collaboration and continued support that could aid effective disaster management. He hinted the Director and his team the predictions on 2024 flood occurrence released by NIMET.
Responding, the Director Kogi State Fire Service, Mr Salihu Ozigi Umar, started by describing SEMA Boss’s leadership and administration second to none, stressed further that the new Executive Secretary, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah was fully prepared to make legacy impacts in the Agency.
With the timely commencement of the pre-flood activities, the Executive Secretary, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah has displayed his ability to coordinate and create massive awareness towards 2024 flood disaster as predicted.
He thanked SEMA management for the visit and assured them the readiness of his Agency to give needed support where necessary.
Media team