NOA launches flood preparedness campaign in Jigawa

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Jigawa State has launched a sensitisation campaign on flood mitigation and emergency preparedness ahead of the 2026 rainy season.

The state director of the agency, Ahmad Tijjani Ibrahim, disclosed this during a press conference held at the NOA Conference Hall on Monday in Dutse, the state capital.

He said the campaign became necessary following predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) that flooding may affect several states and thousands of communities across the country, including Jigawa State.

He attributed recurring floods to both climate change and human activities such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages, poor drainage systems, construction on waterways, and deforestation.

According to him, the agency will deploy Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers across the 27 local government areas of the state to educate residents, especially those in flood-prone communities, on preventive measures and emergency preparedness.

He urged residents to pay attention to weather advisories issued by NiMet and ensure proper environmental sanitation by clearing blocked drainages and planting trees to reduce flooding risks.

The NOA director also appealed to the media to support the campaign through sustained public enlightenment.

He, however, called on eligible residents to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He explained that the exercise, which commenced on May 11 and will end on July 10, 2026, is aimed at registering citizens who have attained the age of 18, as well as those who missed previous registration exercises.

According to him, the exercise also provides opportunities for voters to transfer registration, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and correct biodata errors.

Ibrahim emphasised that voter registration remains a fundamental civic responsibility, urging citizens to obtain their PVCs to enable them to participate actively in the democratic process.