Support
By Philomina Attah
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced livelihood support for 653 households affected by the 2025 floods in Kebbi.
The intervention, which includes the distribution of livelihood empowerment equipment and food assistance, is aimed at helping affected households rebuild their economic activities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise is part of the Federal Government’s nationwide Presidential Post-Flood Intervention Programme.
A statement on the inauguration of the support programme held on Tuesday in Birnin-Kebbi was made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday by Mr Manzo Ezekiel, NEMA Spokesperson.
According to the statement NEMA Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said at the event that the intervention was approved by President Bola Tinubu.
Umar, represented by the Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Alhaji Abbani Garki, said the programme was designed to move affected households beyond immediate relief towards sustainable livelihood recovery.
She said the intervention would complement previous humanitarian assistance, restore sources of income, accelerate recovery and strengthen the resilience of affected communities.
The DG said the provision of livelihood equipment would enable beneficiaries to restart businesses, engage in productive activities and improve their household economic conditions.
She noted that the programme would be implemented across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to her, the intervention reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting disaster-affected communities through humanitarian assistance, livelihood restoration and disaster risk reduction.
Umar said NEMA was collaborating with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, local governments and security agencies to ensure transparent and equitable implementation.
She urged beneficiaries to use the equipment productively, stressing that the support was intended to rebuild livelihoods and improve their economic well-being.
In his remarks, Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi, represented by the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Aliyu Umar, commended the Federal Government for supporting disaster-affected communities.
Idris expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and NEMA for their sustained interventions, describing the support as important to the recovery of vulnerable households.
Similarly, the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, represented by the Ubandoman Gwandu, Alhaji Sadiq Ibrahim-Saad, commended the Federal Government and NEMA.
He urged beneficiaries to make effective use of the items to rebuild their livelihoods and improve their economic circumstances.
The NEMA boss earlier inspected the relief and livelihood empowerment items at the warehouse ahead of the distribution.
The items included sewing machines, grinding machines, cargo tricycles and assorted food items.(NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi