The General Manager of the Lagos State Command and Control Centre, Femi Giwa, has cautioned residents against making prank emergency calls, warning that such actions put lives at risk and delay critical response efforts.
Speaking to journalists at the ongoing National State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) Conference in Lagos, Giwa emphasized the need for stronger institutions, adoption of technology, and collaboration among states to improve emergency management across Nigeria.
He explained that false emergency calls undermine response time, which is critical during life-threatening situations.
“Response time is very important in saving lives. When residents make false calls, they block genuine callers from reaching emergency lines. This delays first responders and affects the golden hour—that crucial window between life and death,” Giwa said.
He appealed to residents to use emergency lines responsibly, urging: “Please don’t make nuisance calls. Only call when there is a real emergency.”
On disaster management, Giwa stressed that while disasters are often random and unavoidable, their impacts can be minimized through preparedness, planning, and coordination.
“The objective of this conference is to improve overall incident management in Nigeria. Disasters occur when hazard, risk, and vulnerability converge, and this is frequent across states. This forum provides an opportunity for emergency managers and agencies to share ideas and chart an efficient pathway for disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery—ultimately building a resilient Nigeria,” he explained.
According to him, effective emergency management requires collaboration, adequate infrastructure, and strong institutions, as no single agency can respond effectively in isolation.
“For example, when a building collapses, it takes firefighters, LASBCA, medical responders, and others working together. If the institutions are not well equipped and their capacity not built, it becomes very difficult. It is not rocket science—we must invest in institutions, capacity-building, and infrastructure,” Giwa said.
He urged states lagging behind in disaster preparedness to explore innovative funding models, engage local communities, and strengthen partnerships with the private sector. He also advised governments to leverage ICT for predictive analytics, data gathering, and improved coordination.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SEMA Conference continues in Lagos, bringing together state emergency managers, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other stakeholders to strengthen disaster management systems nationwide.