"Workshop exposes weak responses to disasters in Nigeria," was the title of an article in the SUNDAY TRUST of August 18, 2013. The writer, Femi Akinola, based his opinion and conclusion in the article on presentations by "experts" at a "two-day media workshop on Conflicts, Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Risk Reduction and Communication," held between August 13 and 14 at the International Press Centre, Lagos.
Femi Akinola's disaster management experts included Olugbenro Olajuyigbe of Action Aid Nigeria and Lanre Arogundade of International Press Centre.
The writer raised many issues which exposed his lack of understanding of disaster management structure and practice.
In this reaction to the article, I shall be attempting to correct the misrepresentations and at the same time educate readers on some of the achievements of the National Emergency Management Agency that have earned the Agency international recognition as a centre of excellence in disaster management in Africa as well as praises from...
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