As Nigeria continues to battle with recurring disasters such as devastating floods and cholera outbreaks, the Oyo state government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched fresh efforts to strengthen regional preparedness and protect vulnerable communities, especially women and children.
The initiative took off at a three-day multi-sectoral Emergency Preparedness workshop held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, bringing together stakeholders from Oyo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Edo States. The workshop aims to boost regional capacity to prepare and respond to emergencies that have continued to threaten public health and safety.
Declaring the workshop open, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation, Rotimi Babalola, described the meeting as timely, given the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters and disease outbreaks in Nigeria.
He stressed that emergencies rarely give prior notice, hence the need for states to build resilience and forge stronger inter-state cooperation.
Babalola said, “Emergencies, as we all know, do not give prior notice. They demand timely, coordinated, and multi-sectoral action. This workshop provides a unique opportunity to share knowledge, review strategies, and strengthen collaboration across the southwest.”
He urged participants to actively engage in discussions and ensure that the outcomes of the workshop are translated into practical measures that can safeguard lives and protect communities.
UNICEF’s Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Specialist, Mr. Oluwasola Olanipekun, emphasised that women and children who are the most affected during emergencies are not left behind.
He emphasised that prompt activation of emergency plans, backed by strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), would save countless lives.
The workshop focuses on practical solutions such as early warning systems, community sensitisation, and rapid response coordination among states. At the end of the three days, participants are expected to develop concrete action plans that can be implemented across the region.
Beyond statistics, the initiative underscores a shared vision, building stronger, safer and more resilient communities where vulnerable families can withstand the shocks of disasters without losing their lives, livelihoods, or dignity.
During the technical session, UNICEF Emergency Specialist, Mr. Olayinka Afolabi, highlighted the worrying trend of recurrent flooding and cholera outbreaks in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States. He linked the problem largely to poor sanitation practices, weak enforcement of hygiene regulations, and persistent open defecation in many communities.
Quoting from the National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA) 2025 countrywide risk analysis, Afolabi revealed that as of week 30, 64 suspected cholera cases were reported nationwide, with no deaths recorded, representing a 74 percent decline from the previous week.
However, cumulatively between weeks one and 30, Nigeria had recorded 4,708 suspected cases and 113 deaths across 199 local government areas in 35 states. This, he explained, represents a case fatality rate of 2.4 percent.
While stressing that although disasters cannot be completely avoided, their impacts can be significantly reduced through adequate preparedness and robust institutional frameworks. He highlighted four critical planning processes that states must prioritize: Risk Analysis, Scenario Planning, Anticipated Response and Preparedness.
“If you spend two dollars on emergency preparedness, you save between 6,000 and 8,000 dollars when an emergency actually happens,” he said, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of early investment in disaster management.
As the workshop progresses, participants expressed optimism that the knowledge gained, partnerships forged and action plans developed will go a long way in reducing vulnerabilities, saving lives and safeguarding communities across the Southwest states and Edo State.
