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Tag: MAIDUGURI FLOODING

  • Nigeria Socioeconomic turmoil: Tinubu to skip UNGA

    Nigeria Socioeconomic turmoil: Tinubu to skip UNGA

    In apparent reaction to the disquiet in the camp of the “owners of Nigeria”, President Bola Tinubu has decided to skip the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), opting to focus on Nigeria’s pressing domestic challenges.

    President Tinubu who has been on a junket, visiting country capitals in Europe, Asia and North America while the country literally burns, says the current decision to cool heels at home is in deference to the gigant Maiduguri flood that has taken over 30 lives and affecting over a million people.

     

    Irked by the apparent indifference of President Tinubu to the suffering of Nigerians due his economic policies, some former military rulers and strategic generals, so-called ‘owners of Nigeria,’ gathered in Minna at the hilltop home of former President Ibrahim Babangida to sketch an alternative to a second term of President Tinubu.

     

    A statement issued on Thursday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, which disclosed President Tinubu’s decision, also said Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation in his place

     

    The President’s move is seen as a prioritization of local concerns over international diplomacy, as President Tinubu aims to address the immediate needs of Nigerians affected by the floods.

     

    The UNGA, scheduled to take place from September 24 to 28, 2024, will feature discussions on sustainable development, peace, and human dignity.

     

    VP Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend key sideline events, and engage in bilateral meetings, ensuring the country’s interests are represented on the global stage.

     

    “President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.

     

    “The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.

     

    “President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.

     

    “At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.

     

    “The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations’, will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024”, the statement said.

     

  • Tinubu announces disaster relief fund in Borno 

    Tinubu announces disaster relief fund in Borno 

    Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga has announced the creation of a Disaster Relief Fund by President Bola Tinubu.
    He said the president announced the creation of the fund at the palace of the Shehu of Borno yesterday during his visit to Maiduguri to sympathise with victims of the massive flood in the town following the heavy downpour that broke the Alau dam.
    During his visit, he announced the creation of a disaster relief fund to support Nigerians impacted by floods and other disasters.
    The statement reads: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced a disaster relief fund Monday in Maiduguri, Borno State, to assist Nigerian citizens impacted by floods and other disasters.
    “He said the relief fund is already expedient as the climate becomes more unpredictable and many places in the country are vulnerable to its vagaries.
    “President Tinubu announced this at the Borno Government House when he visited the state to sympathise with the government and people over the recent flooding from Alau Dam.
    Maiduguri under water
    “He urged the private sector to contribute to the fund.
    “Senate president Godswill Akpabio, who accompanied the President on the visit, said the National Assembly will collaborate with the executive to establish the Fund.
    “Tinubu visited the Shehu of Borno, an Internally Displaced Persons camp at the Government Secondary School in Maiduguri and had a drive-through of the areas affected by the disaster.
    “President Tinubu said: “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.
    “There must be a disaster relief fund. 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.
    “The President thanked Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who is also Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu; and Kogi State governor Ahmed Usman Ododo; and other governors who look beyond party lines to bear the burdens of others.
    “He said that Nigeria’s diversity should spur prosperity.
    “The President extended his sympathy to the government, the people of Yobe State, and all the states affected by flooding and pledged his government’s continued support for victims of natural disasters.
    “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.
    “The President commended the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, for prompt intervention and the Theatre Command of the Nigerian military for the evacuation that saved many lives.
    “I am glad that Prof. Zulum has been a very active governor. Let me assure you that we will be with you, Borno State and share the burden.
    “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.
    “President Tinubu commended all the ministries, agencies, and security outfits, particularly the military, involved in evacuation and relief and recognised the international organisations working in the state.
    “The Governor of Borno State thanked the President for the visit and commended the prompt intervention of Federal Government agencies, particularly NEMA and the military’s Theatre Command, in evacuating stranded victims.
    At the palace, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi, thanked the President for the honour of visiting the state after the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, had earlier represented him.
    The Shehu of Borno urged the President to investigate the cause of the Alua dam collapse and overflow into the town to prevent a recurrence.”
  • Tinubu okays N108b for states to tackle flooding, erosion

    Tinubu okays N108b for states to tackle flooding, erosion

    Throwing money at the problem in the typical Nigerian fashion, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N108 billion for the states to combat natural disasters.
    Each state is entitled to N3 billion.
    This is coming on the heels of massive flooding ravaging states in the North.
    Many Southern states are at risk. Besides flooding, erosion is rampant across the country, especially in the Southeast. Kaduna is also currently battling with erosion.
    Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has also predicted more rainfall and likelihood of more flooding as the year rolls to an end.
    Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, whose capital city is reeling under the flooding that followed the collapse of Alau Dam water channels, confirmed yesterday he had received N3 billion from the Federal Government to battle the humanitarian crisis.
    According to him, no fewer than one million people have been displaced by the gory situation.
    Vice President Kashim Shettima, who temporarily relocated to Maiduguri to support the efforts of the state government to assist victims of the flooding, returned to the Presidential Villa and hosted House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen yesterday.
    Shettima described the situation in Maiduguri as a “national calamity”.
    Shettima told the speaker: “The President has shown his zeal, willingness and commitment to partner with the states towards addressing these issues.
    “Recently, he approved the release of N3 billion to each state of the federation to address some of these challenges so that all parts of the federation should have buy-in and belonging.”
    The speaker promised that the House would give all necessary support to assist the victims.
    He said: “We in the National Assembly are looking all through to see what kind of support we will give to the people affected..
    “Insha Allah, it will come to pass, and people will go back to their normal lives and businesses as if it did not happen because we and you will make sure that we provide all the palliatives for them to regain their means of livelihood.”
    Shettima praised Abbas for his “stellar leadership in the National Assembly”, adding that despite having nearly 70 per cent of the members as newly sworn-in, the Speaker has been able to keep the flag flying.