Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening emergency preparedness and response initiatives in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the World Bank.
Zulum made this known on Monday in Maiduguri while receiving a high-level delegation from both organisations.
Representing the governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Bukar Tijjani, commended NEMA and the World Bank for their long-standing partnership with Borno, particularly in humanitarian relief and post-insurgency recovery programmes.
“NEMA has remained one of our strongest federal allies in tackling emergencies — from floods and conflicts to health crises. The World Bank has equally stood with us through difficult times, and we regard them as true partners in rebuilding Borno,” Zulum said.
He noted that the selection of Borno among the seven pilot states for the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Plan underscored the state’s commitment to proactive disaster management and institutional reforms through its State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
According to him, his government prioritises self-reliance, timely intervention, and collaboration with both national and international agencies to ensure lasting solutions.
“We initiate interventions using our technical, human, and financial resources before engaging partners like NEMA and the World Bank to sustain them,” he added.
The governor also applauded the close coordination between SEMA and NEMA’s North-East Zonal Office, describing their partnership as a model for effective humanitarian response and resettlement efforts.
“Our approach has always been to complement, not compete. This synergy will continue to grow stronger,” Zulum said.
He pledged to maintain institutional cooperation and provide logistical backing to ensure the smooth implementation of the EPR framework in the state.
Earlier, NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said the joint mission to Borno was to assess the state’s readiness under the ongoing EPR programme, supported by the World Bank.
Represented by Dr Bandele Onimode, Director of Planning, Research, and Forecasting, Umar said the visit aimed to evaluate disaster preparedness levels and strengthen capacity for effective response.
She explained that only seven states were chosen for the pilot phase, with Borno standing out due to its exemplary leadership and operational excellence in disaster management.
“The selection of Borno is deliberate — the state represents a beacon of strong emergency response capacity in the North-East,” Umar said.
She emphasised that the success of the EPR initiative would depend on political will, stakeholder engagement, and sustained collaboration between government and development partners.
“It requires full commitment and cooperation from all parties to ensure the programme achieves its objectives,” she said.
Umar also lauded the revitalisation of SEMA, describing it as a symbol of institutional progress that reflects Borno’s dedication to safeguarding lives and communities.
“When subnational agencies like SEMA are strengthened, the national response system becomes more resilient,” she added.
She reaffirmed NEMA’s readiness to deepen its partnership with the Borno government and the World Bank to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of emergency management systems across the region.