NEMA, Osun Govt Bring Relief to March Rainstorm Victims
By Segilola Babalola,
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Osun State Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA), has distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to victims of the March 28, 2026 rainstorm that devastated parts of Osogbo and its environs.
The intervention is aimed at providing immediate support and easing the hardship faced by residents whose homes and properties were damaged by the disaster.
The distribution exercise was officially flagged off at the OSEMA office behind the State Secretariat Complex, Abere, with officials of the Federal and Osun State Governments, alongside key stakeholders in emergency management and disaster response, in attendance.
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Emergency Management, Hon. Emiola Fakeye, commended the Federal Government, NEMA and other partners for their prompt intervention. She described the collaboration as a demonstration of government’s commitment to supporting citizens affected by natural disasters.
Represented by the General Manager of OSEMA, Mrs. Bukola Aderibigbe, Fakeye noted that the devastating rainstorm rendered many families homeless and caused extensive damage to houses and other property. She stressed that it remains the responsibility of government to provide assistance and comfort to victims during difficult times.
She prayed against the recurrence of such disasters in the state and appealed to beneficiaries to be patient and understanding, explaining that while the relief materials could not fully compensate for their losses, they were intended to provide immediate succour and reassure victims of government’s concern for their welfare.
In her remarks, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, represented by the Head of the Ibadan Operations Office, Mr. Deji Yinusa, emphasized that disaster management is a shared responsibility. He urged residents to maintain clean surroundings, avoid practices that increase disaster risks, and adopt preventive measures to mitigate the impact of future emergencies.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Babatunde Akanni expressed appreciation to the Federal and Osun State Governments for the timely intervention, saying the relief materials would significantly ease the hardship of affected families as they begin to rebuild their lives.
Items distributed included roofing sheets, roofing nails, bags of rice, beans, tomatoes, seasoning cubes, seasoning paste and other essential relief materials.
Among those present were representatives of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Hope for Family Development Initiative (HFDI), the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and other relevant stakeholders.