FEMA Honours Pioneer DG

By: Prudence Okonna & Fatima Usman

The management and staff of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has taken time out of their busy schedule to organize a get together in honour of their former Director-General, Dr. Idriss Abbas Garba.

The former staff, friends, well-wishers and industry colleagues, gathered to celebrate the impact and exemplary leadership of the first Director General of Federal Capital Territory-Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The event, which was an evening of encomiums, glitz, glam and nostalgia, was organized by FEMA to send-off the Emergency Management Professional, this Wednesday in Abuja.

Speaking during the event, the former Director-General described his experience as fulfilling, adding that there are lots more to be done to position the Agency rightly.

Garba emphasized the need for continuous training and re-training of staff, which he said, is crucial to generating new ideas for the work to grow exponentially.

He commended all FEMA stakeholders for their partnerships and support, which led to the significant success recorded in the past ten years.

He, therefore, admonished FEMA staff to leverage on these collaborations, as they are key in handling any form of disaster.

Garba, however, said that the non-assent of the FEMA Bill since its inception in 2013, affected the strength and potential growth of the Agency and, therefore, sought the support of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to look into the issue by facilitating the signing of the Bill.

His words: “It is my hope that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, would look into the issue and facilitate the signing of FEMA bill to strengthen the operational efficiency of the Agency”.

Also speaking during the occasion, the immediate past FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir, Olusade Adesola, described the former FEMA boss as a proactive and exemplary leader whose success can be measured by the number of disasters that were averted rather than the emergencies responded to.

He said that “his passion for people, due diligence and hard work had strengthened local response to emergencies in the FCT”.

Acting DG FEMA, Mohammed Sabo said the pioneer DG was instrumental to the enviable heights the Agency has attained today.

Sabo revealed that Dr. Garba’s unwavering commitment, visionary leadership and dedication played a critical role in shaping the organizational landscape of the Agency.

Director Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation, FEMA, Florence Wenegieme, described Idriss as a workaholic, mentor and seasoned professional with passion; adding that he laid the foundation for what is now FEMA.

Meanwhile, an industry colleague, Convener of African Network for Disaster Risk Reduction, Dr. Soji Adeniyi, described Dr. Garba as passionate and hard working leader by example.

He added that as the agency’s trainer for the past ten years, he trained less than 10 members of staff but revealed that during the last training, he recorded over 48 members of staff, which indicates a growth trajectory in the Agency over the years.

Some guests, who also spoke at the occasion described successful leadership as the evidence of successors to carry on the baton of responsibility to new and improved levels.

Abuja Digest recalls that the pioneer Director General of FEMA, Dr. Idriss Abbas Garba, who is an emergency and disaster risk reduction expert, was appointed by the then Minister of FCT, Muhammed Bala in 2013, to pilot the affairs of the Agency for response to the emergency needs of FCT residents.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of awards of exemplary leadership and pioneer DG Award to Dr. Garba by the Agency.