An award well deserved

Though there are challenges, like it is with every other government establishment in Nigeria, NEMA’s response to disasters has been impressive and timely too. This has contributed significantly to disaster reduction in the country.The award of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) bestowed on Sani- Sidi (OFR), is therefore, not just an award meant only […]

Though there are challenges, like it is with every other government establishment in Nigeria, NEMA’s response to disasters has been impressive and timely too. This has contributed significantly to disaster reduction in the country.
The award of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) bestowed on Sani- Sidi (OFR), is therefore, not just an award meant only for him. In his usual way of being a strategic team player, he has dedicated this award to the entire NEMA family which includes: Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR), Vice President Arc. Mohammad Namadi Sambo (GCON), the governing council of NEMA, the Management and staff of NEMA, NEMA’s stakeholders and most importantly, the Nigerian people, who within the last four years, have supported  NEMA immensely.
Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi’s dedication to nation-building has never been in doubt. Just recently his tenure as Director General was renewed by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR) for another four-year term.   The President in approving the re-appointment said: “We have considered with satisfaction the achievement of the Director General in the past four years from September 2010 to date.” He was also conferred with the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award by Vice President Namadi Sambo, who represented the President during the award ceremony and in his remarks, the President said: “Since inception, the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) award recognizes excellence and hard work in all strata and segments of our society and is quite devoid of politics. It therefore deserves the high premium it has earned. I, therefore, encourage you to continue to keep the highest standard that has been established.”
In addition, within the last four years NEMA has witnessed achievements in vital areas of emergency management, some of which are prompt response to emergency, development of disaster framework to address and respond to emergencies, development of early warning alerts, and provision of relief to disaster victims; procurement of advance equipment for rescue mission and training of personnel.
Therefore, this rain of awards, accolades, praise from Federal Government and other stakeholders on NEMA and the leadership is equally a call for higher responsibility in disaster reduction and emergency management.
Dike  Chigbue wrote in from Abuja.