Victims of fire outbreaks and rainstorm disasters in Ekiti State have expressed appreciation to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for distributing various relief materials to support them after the 2025 flooding and fire incidents that destroyed homes and property across several communities.
The beneficiaries, who suffered losses during this year’s devastating weather events, said the intervention from the federal relief agency brought much-needed succour in the aftermath of the disasters.
They spoke on Wednesday during an assessment visit to flood-prone areas in Ado-Ekiti by officials of NEMA alongside state government representatives.
Items shared included foodstuffs, building materials, mattresses, and other essential consumables aimed at easing the hardship of affected households.
A 62-year-old community leader, Chief Adebayo Ajayi, who resides along the 132 KVA Omisanjana area of the state capital, recalled the destructive impact of the recurring floods on his home.
He commended NEMA for its timely response.
“I have been here for over 19 years, and the flooding has always caused serious issues for us, especially last year and this 2025,” he said.
“We appreciate NEMA for coming to our aid with relief materials. Even though the flood affected my car, the items we received such as mattresses and food helped my family survive that period. But we still need more support from all angles.”
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Olayinka Jegede, said the flood washed away her household materials, clothing, and foodstuffs. She praised NEMA’s intervention, noting that the items provided helped her family cope.
“The flooding affected my home and we received some items from NEMA food items and building materials,” she said.
“The assistance, especially the mattress, helped my family a lot during those difficult days.”
Other victims, including Busuyi Omodele, Fisayo Ogundare, and Mrs. Ronke Lawal, also lauded the agency for its support and appealed for additional relief items to enable them rebuild their lives fully.
The General Manager of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Oludare Asaolu, commended NEMA for its consistent collaboration with the state government in providing succour to disaster victims.
“As regards intervention, we have given relief cash and materials to victims of rainstorms, fire, and other disasters. The Governor has approved funds for materials to be distributed to rainstorm victims,” he said.
“NEMA has always supported us with materials to relieve victims. We, therefore, solicit additional relief materials that can help restore affected residents. We have been partners in progress, and NEMA is doing well in assisting us during disasters.”
NEMA’s Head of Operations in Ekiti, Kofoworola Soleye, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing necessary support in line with its mandate and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
She explained that the relief materials distributed followed detailed assessments carried out across affected communities.
“At every point when an incident occurs, an assessment is carried out,” she said. “The state actually has coping capacities, and there are certain responsibilities we ordinarily expect the state to handle.
“Usually, we conduct the assessments jointly with the state, and many of the needs expressed by the people are things the state should be able to provide. However, because of the long-standing dependence on NEMA as a ‘big brother,’ the state sometimes shies away from some of these responsibilities.
“But whichever way it goes, the victims still receive assistance one way or another. And as you know, what we provide is only a cushioning effect—it is never a full replacement of people’s losses.”
Soleye added that after each assessment, a technical team at NEMA’s headquarters reviews the reports to determine the appropriate relief items to deploy.
“That support is not meant to replace the role of the state,” she emphasized. “The expectation remains that the state should be the first responder. NEMA only intervenes when the situation is beyond the state’s capacity.”
