President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, visited Borno State to express condolences and assess the damage caused by recent devastating floods in Maiduguri, the state’s capital......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
During his visit, Tinubu announced plans to create a disaster relief fund to assist Nigerian citizens impacted by floods and other disasters.
The president arrived in Maiduguri aboard a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Dassault Falcon 7X jet with the registration number 5N-FGV. He was received by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governor Babagana Zulum, and other officials.
Tinubu’s visit follows an earlier sympathy mission led by Vice President Kashim Shettima on September 10, during which immediate relief measures were announced, including the provision of 50 trucks of rice to displaced residents.
During his visit, President Tinubu toured flood-affected areas, visited the Shehu of Borno, and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at the Government Secondary School in Maiduguri.
Reflecting on the impact of the disaster, Tinubu called for a comprehensive approach to tackle such calamities and the effects of climate change.
“There must be a disaster relief fund,” Tinubu declared.
“After my visit to the Shehu of Borno and the IDP camp, I have been reflecting on how to tackle this kind of disaster and the effects of climate change.
“I will invite the private sector to team up with us and help rebuild the affected areas.
“If we take a small percentage from FAAC and put it as disaster relief fund, which will include all of you, we will be activating and strengthening our sense of belonging,” he said.
Senate President Akpabio, who accompanied Tinubu, pledged that the National Assembly would collaborate with the executive to establish the Fund.
President Tinubu commended Governor Zulum for his prompt intervention and the theatre command of the Nigerian military for their evacuation efforts that saved many lives.
He also recognised the contributions of other state governors who demonstrated solidarity across party lines.
Tinubu also extended his sympathy to the people of Yobe State and all states affected by flooding, promising continued government support for victims of natural disasters.
He assured, “For all the people of Yobe State, I sympathise with you. We will create an outstanding programme for Nigeria to recover from this calamity. We will build our nation together,” the President assured.
“This disaster was a natural one. It was not the making of anybody. We cannot pass the blame. We pray that the Almighty Allah will receive the souls of the departed and grant them eternal rest.
“May God also overlook their shortcomings and misdeeds on earth,” he added.
The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi, thanked the President for his visit and urged an investigation into the cause of the Alau Dam collapse to prevent future occurrences.
Last week, Vice President Shettima, heading a Federal Government delegation, assessed the damage caused by the Alau Dam flood disaster, which displaced thousands of residents.
During his visit, toured the Bakassi camp, where thousands of flood victims have sought refuge.
In a gesture of immediate relief, Shettima announced the government’s commitment to provide 50 trucks of rice to the displaced residents.
He further pledged collaboration with the North East Development Commission and other agencies to ensure that the victims’ stay at the camp would not exceed two weeks.
Describing the severity of the floods, Shettima stated that it was the most catastrophic event to hit Maiduguri in over three decades.
During the on-site assessment, the VP admitted that the flood’s impact had surpassed initial estimations but assured that the Federal Government would prioritise the welfare of affected communities.
The flooding, which intensified last week, was attributed to excess water from the Alau Dam after the dam’s spillways collapsed.
The flooding has resulted in no fewer than 30 deaths.
Last week, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, disclosed that no fewer than 259 persons have lost their lives to flood disasters that affected over one million people across 29 states in 2024.