Youth leaders, disaster specialists, and government agencies are calling for a robust, proactive emergency-response strategy for Akwa Ibom State. They spoke at a one‑day, youth‑led dialogue on disaster risk management—hosted by the Clement Isong Foundation with support from ActionAid Nigeria in Uyo.

Participants—including NEMA, the Civil Defence Corps, the Fire Service, and civil‑society groups—noted the state’s recurring floods, oil spills, fires, and disease outbreaks, and decried its reactive, underfunded response system.

“We can’t keep waiting for disasters to strike,” said Utibe Ekanem of the SPA II project. “Akwa Ibom needs an inclusive framework that empowers local communities—especially youth and women.”

Drawing on NEMA’s national framework, attendees formed a Technical Working Committee to craft a state‑specific plan. Young people from Oron and Ibeno shared how they’ve led sanitation drives and flood‑and‑oil‑spill responses without official backing.

Key gaps identified included the absence of early‑warning systems, weak community coordination, and infrequent drills. Recommendations:

Create state‑ and local‑level emergency teams

Deploy rapid needs‑assessment tools

Integrate disaster education in schools

Run regular simulation exercises

Launch awareness campaigns via schools, town halls, and places of worship.

The Clement Isong Foundation and ActionAid Nigeria pledged ongoing support for youth‑driven preparedness efforts and thanked all stakeholders for their contributions.