NEMA retools staff in Kano with life saving skills
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Monday commenced two-day training on saving lives for its staff in Kano.
Declaring the training open, the Director-General, NEMA, AVM Muhammadu Mohammed, said it was in line with the policy and guidelines of NEMA to ensure competence of its staff, to effectively respond to emergencies.
Mohammed further said that the training was to improve the competence of the agency’s personnel in disaster management and to equip them with appropriate skills in reducing the number of accidents.
The NEMA director-general was represented at the event by the Coordinator, Kano and Jigawa Territorial Office, Mr Sanusi Ado, which had the theme “Basic First Aid and Recertification”.
“In our work place, we try to create a positive and safe working environment, understand the proper usage and handling of first aid kits and encourage personnel to effectively manage emergencies with confidence, clarity, and without fear and confusion.
“The agency will emphasise commitment to continuously improve on staff competence and operational readiness by ensuring that they are provided with the right skills and a systematic approach in all emergencies,” Mohammed said.
He described the training as collaboration between NEMA and the Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS), being one of the major partners and stakeholders in disaster management, to provide its staff with basic first aid training and recertification.
Mohammed added that the training would help NEMA staff to feel more secure and confident, when dealing with emergency situations, minimising risks and ability to react immediately to accidents.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, NRCS, Kano, Mr Musa Abdullahi, said that the training would equip NEMA staff with all the necessary techniques in life saving during emergencies and in discharging their duties at home, office or community.
“At the end of the training, we will certify that the staffs have qualified to conduct any emergency rescue anywhere for three years, after which they are expected to go for refresher training.”
Some of the participants, who spoke with the Newsmen, commended the Federal Government for the opportunity to acquire new skills and knowledge on saving lives.
One of the participants, Umar Shittu, Senior Training Officer, NEMA, Kano Territorial Office, said the training was a good development, commending the NEMA director-general for equipping staff with new skills on first aid and effective service delivery.
Shittu urged other participants to be focused during the training, to enable them acquire new and valuable life saving skills.
