The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has extended critical support to more than 3,000 individuals affected by floods and communal conflicts in Yobe State, reinforcing its commitment to humanitarian and disaster relief efforts across the region.
At a formal presentation ceremony held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the Commission provided a large consignment of building materials to affected communities to aid in the reconstruction of homes destroyed by recent disasters. The items included:
- 20,000 pieces of timber wood
- 20,000 pieces of ceiling boards
- 6,000 pieces of 12mm rods
- 6,000 pieces of 10mm rods
- 3,000 bundles of zinc roofing sheets
- 2,000 cartons of roofing nails
In addition to supporting rebuilding efforts, the NEDC also donated modern search and rescue equipment to the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to enhance its capacity for rapid and efficient disaster response. The donated items include:
- 150 rain boots
- 150 life jackets
- 1,000 pieces of pulley ropes and hooks
- 1,000 pieces of demarcation cables and wires
- 10 sets of boat safety equipment
- 15 full packs of search and rescue kits
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/CEO of the NEDC, Mohammed G. Alkali, represented by the Yobe State Coordinator, Prof. Ali Ibrahim Abbas, reiterated the Commission’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of people across the North East. He described the intervention as part of the Commission’s broader strategy to support the humanitarian efforts of Governor Mai Mala Buni and enhance community resilience against natural disasters and conflict-induced displacement.
Dr. Mairo Ahmed Amshi, Honourable Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Yobe State, expressed the government’s gratitude to the NEDC for its timely intervention. She assured that the building materials and rescue equipment would be utilized transparently and for their intended purposes.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr. Mohammed Goje, also commended the NEDC for its contribution, noting that the equipment would significantly improve the agency’s operational capacity in search and rescue missions.
To ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution process, each benefiting community will have a dedicated distribution committee comprising the LGA Chairman, community leaders, Community Development Officers (CDOs), representatives from the NEDC, and officials from the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA).
This latest intervention underscores the NEDC’s critical role not only as a development institution but also as a frontline actor in humanitarian assistance and disaster management in Nigeria’s North East region. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration with state governments and relevant stakeholders to address the multifaceted challenges facing communities across the region.
