By Edeniyere Abraham Osose
The Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EdoSEMA) has highlighted its achievements in disaster preparedness and emergency responses during the Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Workshop, themed, “Exposing the Programmes and Projects of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Administration,” organised by the Edo State Ministry of Information and Communications.
The Workshop which held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City, convened representatives from ministries, departments and agencies, non-governmental organisations, religious institutions, market associations, student bodies, amongst other stakeholders. The event served as a platform for EdoSEMA to unveil its alignment with the Sen. Okpebholo-led administration’s vision of responsive and practical governance in the State.
EdoSEMA’s scorecard as presented by its Executive Secretary, Hon. Jerry Idahosa, spotlighted several key interventions across the State. Notably, the catastrophic Ekeke-Erah dam collapse in Owan East Local Government Area (LGA), which devastated farmlands, markets and infrastructure, the Agency swiftly deployed relief materials, including food, mosquito nets and hygiene kits, to affected communities. The Agency also announced ongoing plans to address longer-term impacts such as water purification and related health concerns.
In response to the Jattu Market fire outbreak in Etsako West LGA, EdoSEMA provided financial assistance to 14 traders, who lost their businesses to the inferno, enabling them to restart their livelihoods. Similarly, in the communal clash between Madoti and Gbelebu communities in Ovia South-West LGA, food supplies and financial support were distributed to support reconstruction efforts and restore community peace and stability.
EdoSEMA’s efforts extend beyond reactive relief. The Agency has visited 15, out of the 18 LGAs in the State to assess high-risk zones and recommend preventive measures tailored to circumvent or ameliorate local vulnerabilities. The field assessments support the broader objectives of the Project SHINE agenda of the Sen. Okpebholo’s administration, which is designed to strengthen grassroot governance through education and civic engagement.
As part of its preparedness campaign, EdoSEMA is enhancing public awareness and emergency reporting through its toll-free hotline, ‘739’. Community sensitisation drives are being intensified to ensure that residents are familiar with emergency protocols and can respond swiftly to crises.
The Agency is also engaging market leaders to enforce fire safety protocols and improve response mechanisms in commercial hubs. In areas prone to flooding, such as Ekeke-Erah, EdoSEMA is investing in flood-resistant drainage systems and improved healthcare access.
Through robust partnerships with traditional rulers, local governments and civil society organisations, EdoSEMA continues to foster community-led resilience. One of such initiatives was a recent flood preparedness sensitisation campaign in Illushi, in Esan South-East LGA, which covered early warning systems and evacuation procedures.
Despite challenges such as limited resources and public awareness gaps, EdoSEMA remains committed to innovation and collaboration. Plans are in motion to enhance training for emergency responders, leverage data-driven planning tools, and foster public-private partnerships to bolster disaster management systems.
Sen. Okpebholo’s administration through EdoSEMA, is reshaping emergency management in Edo State with a ‘people-first’ approach, integrated policy coordination and deep community involvement. Edo State is steadily positioning itself as a sub-national model for effective, inclusive and sustainable disaster resilience in Nigeria.
