The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a five-day training programme focused on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for various communities in Delta State.
Organised in partnership with Ocean Whales Consult Limited, the training kicked off on Monday, October 13, 2025, and will run through Friday, October 17, 2025, at Xandria Place in Udu Local Government Area.
A total of 160 participants from eight oil-producing communities in the state are attending the programme, which is designed to boost local capacity for disaster prevention and response.
While opening the event, Mr. Izunna Emecheta Lawrence, Managing Director and CEO of Ocean Whales Consult Limited, described the training as “a timely and strategic response” to the increasing environmental threats facing the Niger Delta region.
“In recent years, our country — particularly the Niger Delta — has been dealing with growing challenges like floods, erosion, oil spills, and other environmental threats that put lives at risk and disrupt people’s livelihoods,” Lawrence said.
“Disasters might be natural, but the damage they cause often depends on how ready we are. That’s why we’re here — to move from simply reacting to building real resilience ahead of time.”
The Managing Director and CEO of Ocean Whales Consult Limited explained that the training, backed by the NCDMB, is aimed at providing participants with hands-on knowledge, tools, and strategies for disaster risk prevention, early warning systems, emergency response, and recovery after a crisis.
“We’re not here to teach theory — we’re here to empower you to become champions of safety and resilience,” he said, encouraging participants to share what they’ve learned with their communities.
Also speaking at the event, lead facilitator Dr. Austin Anyaogu noted that the programme is focused on raising awareness and fostering a culture of prevention and self-reliance in disaster management.
Dr. Anyaogu also emphasized the importance of greater government investment in disaster risk reduction, highlighting the need for solid policies and collaborative efforts to safeguard lives and property.
The training is grounded in global best practices, particularly the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030).
Participants will explore a wide range of topics, including hazard identification and risk assessment, preparedness planning, early warning systems, emergency response and coordination, recovery and reconstruction, community-based approaches to DRR, climate change adaptation, and strengthening resilience, as well as policy, governance, and institutional frameworks.
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