LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPER NOMINATES NEMA DG FOR PUBLIC SERVICE PERSON OF THE YEAR 2026 AWARD

LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPER NOMINATES NEMA DG FOR PUBLIC SERVICE PERSON OF THE YEAR 2026 AWARD

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, has been nominated for the Leadership Newspaper 2026 Public Service Person of the Year Award in recognition of her leadership and contributions to strengthening disaster management and humanitarian coordination in Nigeria.

The Group Managing Director of Leadership Newspaper, Mr Muazu Elazeh, announced the nomination when he led members of the management and editorial board of the newspaper on a visit to the NEMA Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, 29th September 2026, to formally present the nomination letter to the Director General.

Mr Elazeh said the nomination was in recognition of Mrs Umar’s leadership of NEMA, particularly the Agency’s efforts towards strengthening disaster preparedness, emergency response, humanitarian coordination and institutional capacity.

He also formally invited the Director General to the 19th edition of the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards, where she will be presented with the award alongside other distinguished personalities and organisations being recognised for their contributions to public service and national development.

Receiving the nomination letter, Mrs Zubaida Umar expressed appreciation to Leadership Newspaper for the recognition, describing the nomination as an honour and an encouragement to sustain ongoing efforts towards strengthening disaster management in the country.

She dedicated the recognition to the management and entire staff of NEMA, noting that the achievements for which she was nominated were the result of collective efforts, dedication and commitment to the mandate of the Agency.

Mrs Zubaida Umar said the recognition would further motivate her and the Agency to intensify efforts towards building a more proactive, coordinated and resilient disaster management system.

She reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness, public awareness, early warning, simulation exercises and effective coordination with relevant stakeholders across the country.

The Director General further stressed that disaster management is a shared responsibility requiring the active participation of governments at all levels, emergency response agencies, communities, the private sector, humanitarian partners and other stakeholders.

She assured that NEMA would continue to strengthen partnerships and institutional mechanisms aimed at reducing disaster risks, protecting lives and livelihoods, and enhancing national resilience.

29th September, 2026