In a bid to enhance disaster coordination and mitigation efforts in Sokoto State, the Sokoto Disaster Management Platform (DMP) convened a strategic one-day meeting at the Goshen Civic Centre, Tamaje Area, Sokoto.
By Abubakar Abdullahi
The event, organized by the Amalgamated Sokoto State Disaster Management Platform under the leadership of its Chairman, Aminu Galadima, brought together critical stakeholders, including representatives from Sokoto SEMA, NEMA, the Ministry of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, WHO, UNICEF, and other key partners.
The meeting aimed to strengthen information and knowledge sharing among disaster managers and stakeholders, with a focus on improving coordination and reducing the impact of disasters in the state.
Participants collaboratively designed a roadmap outlining strategies for better coordination, clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of all members.
During the session, participants emphasized the need to enhance the platform’s capacity through courtesy visits to key ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and development partners, including Sokoto SEMA, NEMA, the Ministry of Humanitarian and Social Welfare, WHO, and UNICEF.
These visits are intended to foster stronger relationships and improve understanding of each stakeholder’s contributions to disaster management.
A paper presentation and recap were delivered by Abdallah el-Kurebe, highlighting the roles and responsibilities of platform members and underscoring the importance of each stakeholder’s input.
The state coordinator, Yusouf Yusouf, shared insights on the platform’s objectives and expectations, while Chairman Aminu Galadima urged members to adopt innovative approaches to advance the platform’s goals.
Tukur Abubakar, NEMA’s planning, research, and statistics officer, provided clarifications on areas requiring further understanding, ensuring all members were well-informed and aligned with the platform’s mission.
During the Any Other Business (AOB) session, members proposed the inclusion of additional stakeholders to address specific challenges. These include:
Ministry of Education: To contribute to issues related to proper town planning.
Ministry of Environment: To handle challenges associated with climate change and other environmental issues.
Ministry of Information: To handle matters related to information dissemination and publicity, ensuring effective communication and public awareness campaigns.
Asattahir International Foundation (AIF): To handle issue that has to do with s fire outbreak challenges, leveraging the foundation’s expertise and resources.
The inclusion of these representatives is expected to bring a multidisciplinary approach to disaster management, ensuring the platform benefits from a wide range of expertise and perspectives.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards a safer and more resilient Sokoto State. The event ended on a high note with group photographs, symbolizing the unity and shared vision of the participants.
This strategic meeting marks a significant step forward in Sokoto State’s efforts to build a robust disaster management framework, better prepared to handle future challenges and protect its communities.
