The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has appealed to Nigerians to collaborate with government agencies to reduce disasters in the country.
The Director General of the Agency, Mr Muhammad Sani Sidi, made the appeal at a conference to mark the 2016 International Day for Disaster and Risk Reduction in Abuja.
The 2016 edition was themed ‘Live To Tell’ and according to Mr Sidi, the event was to provide opportunity for citizens to collaborate with government and support efforts at reducing and managing disasters.
On the side line of the event, the chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society in Abuja, Taiye Olaniyi, identified the challenges involved in rendering relief during disasters.
An official of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, James Bisong, also stated that there is the need for more practical steps to reduce disaster occurrences.
Nigeria has had both natural and man-made disasters in recent times with flooding and activities of terrorists in various parts of the country not only leading to the death of many, but has also destroyed their livelihood.