The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and international partners, has commenced a two-day full-scale simulation exercise on flood disaster response in Makurdi.
The exercise, code-named Exercise ‘Uwar Uma’ – a Tiv expression meaning ‘Saving Lives’ is holding from September 15 to 16, 2026, at the Rev. Fr. Alia Conference Hall, SEMA Headquarters, Makurdi.
Declaring the workshop open, the Head of Administration, Benue SEMA, Atii Samuel Atii, who represented the Executive Secretary, said the simulation is aimed at strengthening preparedness, testing response mechanisms and improving inter-agency coordination for effective disaster management in the state.
Atii said Benue State remains highly vulnerable to flooding and is determined to remain proactive in disaster risk reduction, noting that all relevant stakeholders have been mobilised for the exercise. He commended NEMA for its sustained partnership and support to the state.
In his opening remarks, Suleiman Muhammad, the Acting Zonal Director, North Central Zone of NEMA, said the training and orientation programme is a critical component of the simulation exercise, designed to give stakeholders a common understanding of scenario objectives, operational procedures, roles and communication arrangements.
He explained that the exercise will test the bottom-up emergency response approach, beginning at the community level and progressively escalating through the Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMC), SEMA and to the federal level through NEMA.
According to him, ‘Benue is highly exposed to flooding due to its extensive river systems, floodplains, seasonal rainfall and concentration of settlements around River Benue and its tributaries, adding that early warning information must translate into timely community action, evacuation, rescue and relief.
He stressed that the purpose of the simulation is not to demonstrate perfection but to identify weaknesses in plans, procedures, communication systems, logistics, early-warning mechanisms and inter-agency coordination, so that gaps can be addressed before a real emergency.
He urged participants to approach the training with seriousness, discipline and teamwork, with particular attention to the safety of personnel and the public, noting that lessons from the programme will be captured during the Hot Wash and After-Action Review.
In a remark, Sunday Amama, a representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, commended Benue State for being selected as one of the few states to host the national exercise.
Amama said, under the UNDP Sahel Resilience Project, funded by the Government of Sweden, UNDP is partnering with NEMA, the Benue Government and the World Bank to implement the simulation.
According to Amama, ‘the initiative provides a unique opportunity to strengthen disaster preparedness, validate emergency response mechanisms and improve collective readiness before, during and after flood emergencies’
He commended NEMA for its leadership and professionalism in advancing disaster preparedness across Nigeria and reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to support federal and state governments through technical assistance, policy advisory, capacity development and catalytic financing.
The UNDP representative expressed optimism that knowledge and lessons from the exercise will be institutionalised and translated into real-life actions to save lives and build resilient communities.
Business Day reports that the exercise is supported by development and humanitarian partners including UNOCHA, UNDP, UNICEF and the World Bank, with participation from MDAs, security agencies, local emergency committees and participating communities.