NEMA Honours Kaduna Traditional Rulers for Supporting Disaster Prevention

By Atlantic Reports

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has honoured traditional rulers in Kaduna North and Chikun Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kaduna State for their contributions to disaster prevention and risk reduction.

Halima Suleiman, Head of Operations at the NEMA Kaduna Operations Office, presented the awards during courtesy visits to the traditional rulers on Thursday as part of the agency’s Customer Service Week programme.

Suleiman said the visits were organised to recognise community leaders who had supported the agency’s disaster management activities and helped communicate safety messages to residents.

She noted that collaboration with traditional institutions had strengthened efforts to disseminate disaster awareness and prevention information across communities.

“I feel a sense of satisfaction because we have visited people we have served and collaborated with to ensure our messages reach the grassroots,” she said.

According to Suleiman, the community leaders had acknowledged the agency’s work and their previous collaborations in promoting disaster awareness.

Traditional Institutions Key to Disaster Preparedness

Suleiman stressed that NEMA could not effectively reach communities without the involvement of traditional rulers and other local stakeholders.

“NEMA cannot do it alone. We provide services to the people, and we cannot reach the grassroots without the involvement of community leaders,” she said.

She explained that recognising and encouraging traditional rulers would motivate them to sustain their contributions to disaster prevention, preparedness and mitigation.

Traditional institutions often serve as important links between public agencies and residents, helping to communicate warnings, mobilise communities and encourage people to adopt safer practices.

Their involvement can be particularly valuable in ensuring that disaster-related information reaches residents who may have limited access to formal communication channels.

Traditional Rulers Pledge Continued Cooperation

Responding to the recognition, the District Head of Tudun Wada, Tahir Mahmoud, thanked NEMA for acknowledging the role of traditional institutions in disaster management.

Mahmoud pledged to continue working with the agency to promote disaster awareness and preparedness within his community.

Similarly, Dr Ishaku Yari, the traditional ruler of Gbagyi in Chikun Local Government Area, expressed appreciation for the recognition of community leaders’ contributions.

Yari also pledged continued support for NEMA’s awareness campaigns and disaster prevention initiatives.

Sustaining Community-Level Disaster Management

The recognition highlights the importance of cooperation between emergency management authorities and community institutions in reducing disaster risks.

However, the long-term impact of such partnerships depends on sustained public education, timely dissemination of warnings and practical preparedness measures that enable residents to respond effectively to emergencies.

For NEMA, continued engagement with traditional rulers and other local stakeholders remains an important part of strengthening disaster awareness and extending prevention efforts to communities across Kaduna State.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.