NEMA Trains Media, influencers on Disaster Risk Communication in Kano
By Ali Rabi'u Ali, Dutse
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has organized a workshop for social media influencers and broadcast houses on disaster risk communication for Kano and Jigawa states. The training, held at Tribes by Meena in Kano on July 17, 2025, aimed to enhance the timely and accurate dissemination of information to the public, particularly in vulnerable areas.
According to NEMA head Kano and Jigawa, Dr. Nura Abdullahi, the workshop's objective is to build a culture of preparedness, prevention, response, and community resilience to disasters in Nigeria. He cited the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the Nigerian Hydrological Agency (NISHA) as the basis for the training.
Executive Secretary of SEMA Kano State, Isyaku Abdullahi Kubaraci, commended NEMA for organizing the workshop, emphasizing the crucial role of media in climate mitigation. He urged media practitioners to continue disseminating information on disasters to support government efforts and protect communities in danger zones.
Meanwhile, Executive Secretary of SEMA Jigawa State, Hon. Hannafi Yakubu Fagam, praised NEMA's efforts in assisting the state government, noting the positive impact on the lives of people affected by floods and other disasters.
He assured that the Jigawa State Government is working to ensure the welfare of its citizens, particularly those affected by disasters, and is conducting enlightenment campaigns through various media outlets to advise people to vacate flood-prone areas.
One of the resource persons, Dr. Umar Shitu-Madigawa of NEMA, presented a paper titled: “An Overview of the 2025 Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) by NiMet and AFO.”
Similarly, Abdullahi Jalaludeen presented a paper titled: “Social Media as a Tool for Early Warning in Disaster Management,” while Mukhtar Ya’u of PR Nigeria presented a paper titled: “Misinformation in the Disaster Space.
the event featured panel discussions and a roundtable session for experience sharing on strengthening collaboration between NEMA and the media for timely and ethical disaster risk communication.
The workshop was attended by a representative of the NUJ Chairman in Kano, Murtala Adewale; the Chairman of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel; various social media influencers; journalists; and representatives of broadcast houses from Kano and Jigawa states, among other stakeholders.