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Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River State on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, began a three-day Flood Disaster Response Simulation Exercise in Calabar, the state capital.
The exercise, organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in partnership with the Cross River Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), is being supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank.
The exercise, Code-named “Ex Ndiyang Uwem,” aims to strengthen emergency preparedness, improve inter-agency coordination and enhance disaster response capacity before the 2026 flood peak.
Otu, represented by CR-SEMA Director-General, Mr. Efa Nyong, welcomed participants and stakeholders’ while appreciating NEMA for selecting Cross River.
“This exercise is timely because effective disaster management depends on preparedness rather than responding only after emergencies occur,” he said.
He urged participants to strengthen partnerships, exchange experiences and adopt best practices for faster, coordinated responses that protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said the simulation was vital to Nigeria’s disaster preparedness strategy and operational readiness.
Represented by Air Commodore Bature Usman, Director of Search and Rescue (DSAR) in NEMA, Umar noted that the exercise would test emergency response systems, improve collaboration among agencies and identify operational gaps before the peak rainy season.
“Flooding remains Nigeria’s most frequent natural disaster, requiring sustained preparedness, planning and regular simulation exercises to minimise risks,” she emphasised.
Similarly, Mr. Labaran Ahman, NEMA’s Assistant Director of Operations, presented a paper on flood search, rescue and evacuation safety using practical demonstrations by professional divers.
Ahman emphasised adherence to international rescue protocols, stressing that responders’ safety remained as important as protecting disaster victims during emergency operations.
The Participants also received presentations on the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook, alongside panel discussions involvingthe Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and other technical experts.
Participants in the exercise were drawn from all security agencies, relevant ministry and parastatals, Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), and civil society organisations (CSOs), among others.
By Christian Njoku
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