Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar has taken disaster risk reduction awareness to primary school pupils in Abuja, engaging them in practical safety education as part of efforts to build a culture of preparedness from an early age.
The outreach, held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at LEA Primary School, Durumi, forms part of NEMA’s ongoing grassroots campaign to promote disaster risk reduction education among young Nigerians.
Speaking during the interactive session, Mrs. Umar stressed the importance of basic safety habits and simple preventive measures that children can adopt both at home and in school.
She guided the pupils on practical steps to reduce risks associated with common emergencies such as fire outbreaks, flooding, and unsafe play environments.
The NEMA boss encouraged the pupils to remain safety conscious, stay alert to potential dangers in their surroundings, and promptly report hazards to teachers, parents, or responsible adults.
She explained that disaster risk reduction is a shared responsibility that goes beyond emergency responders, noting that awareness, preparedness, and responsible behaviour at the community level are critical to preventing disasters.
According to her, introducing children to safety and preparedness concepts early is key to building safer and more resilient communities.
The session also featured an engaging question-and-answer segment, where pupils gained deeper insights into disaster management and their roles in promoting safety within their homes, schools, and communities.
The school visit underscores NEMA’s broader strategy of extending disaster risk reduction education beyond formal institutions into communities, schools, and households nationwide.
In a statement by the Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, the agency reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national resilience through sustained public education and community engagement initiatives.
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