The Yobe state government has unveiled a comprehensive 2025 Flood Preparedness Plan to mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding in the state.
The executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Mohammed Goje, disclosed this today at a press briefing in Damaturu.
According to the YOSEMA Chief Executive, the plan was based on the NiMet and NIHSA seasonal outlooks and will target 126,000 households, translating to 467,976 individuals across high-risk Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
Dr. Goje disclosed that “the plan includes key features such as early warning systems, community engagement, capacity building, infrastructure and mitigation, resource prepositioning, and institutional preparedness.”
He added that the government has also emphasised the importance of partnerships in disaster management, acknowledging the contributions of development partners, humanitarian organisations, and community volunteers, which include: YEMABUS, NEMA, NEDC, OCHA-UN, FAO-UN, ACF, UNICEF, UNFPA, IOM, CSOs, CBOs, and others.
Dr. Goje also informed that the State government in 2025 has already responded to several flood incidents, including flash floods in Potiskum and Nangere LGAs, which affected thousands of households, stressing that “the government has provided emergency assistance, including food, shelter, and medical support, to affected communities”.
Speaking on some specific innovative plans against the flood, Dr. Goje said, “The 2025 Flood Preparedness Plan aims to strengthen community resilience and reduce the impact of flooding on lives and livelihoods. The plan includes innovative sensitisation campaigns, such as a community soccer event tagged “Kick Flood” in Damaturu and Nangere LGAs, to engage youth and spread flood awareness messages.”
The Yobe State Government has appealed to partners to redouble their efforts and mobilise more resources in support of effective and coordinated flood response and preparedness in the state, just as it has emphasised the importance of aligning interventions with the state’s contingency plan to maximise impact and avoid duplication.
