By NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says President Bola Tinubu has directed an immediate nationwide sensitisation on dangers of flooding.
Idris stated this when he led a Federal Government delegation on a condolence visit to the Governor of Niger, Mohammed Bago in Minna on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among the delegation is the Minister of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda.
Idris said they were in Minna to commiserate with the government and people of the state, particularly people of Mokwa over the recent flood that claimed many lives.
He explained that the delegates were in Minna on the directive of Tinubu to commiserate, sympathise and empathise with the government and good people of the state on what happened in Mokwa Local Government.
According to Idris, the president is personally saddened by the disaster and directed that, every available resources of the government should be deployed to come here.
“And that is why the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and poverty Alleviation is here with me.
“We are aware that NEMA has had an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and collaborating with the state to ensure that those who have lost their lives and sustained various degrees of injury are attended to.
“President Tinubu has activated every government agencies to ensure what needed to be done is done.
“This is also a call to our people to take this as also a warning against future occurrence. Those living in those areas need to be properly educated.
“On that direction, President Tinubu has also asked the National Orientation Agency, to immediately embark on a campaign around the community and other communities across the country to sensitise the people on the dangers of living in areas that are prone to such disaster,” Idris said.
“The agency is also to enlighten and educate them on steps to be taken in the event that such kind of disaster occur again,” Idris said.
The minister said the government support the state to ensure that the needed reliefs were provided to the people.
“Accept the condolences and sympathy of the president; his concerns are with you and the people of the state over the sad situation,” he said.
Similarly, Yilwatda, extended the condolence of Tinubu to the state governor: “Nigerians stand by you, our hearts and prayers are with you at this difficult moment.
“We will review activities carried out so far and work with the Refugees Commission and see the kind of support we can give for displaced communities; we will see how we can support them especially farmers whose farms have been washed away.
“We will try to restore livelihoods of the people who have lost their means of livelihoods; we will also look at details of areas of needs and go back to the president and see what further support can be provided,” Yilwatda said,
Responding, Bago, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the state, Aljaji Yakubu Garba, appreciated Tinubu and the delegation, describing their visit as timely.
Bago explained that NEMA have been on ground both in kind and human resources, stressing that they have done well.
“We thank the government for acting swiftly in such a situation that left the state devastated and shocked.
“About 151 dead bodies were recovered and buried, 3, 018 people were displaced, 11 people were injured and 503 households were affected and still counting.
“265 houses were affected within Mokwa, three communities within Mokwa Local Government were affected, two roads and three bridges were washed away.
“Hence the need for quick intervention to restore the livelihoods of the people. The rescue team include, NEMA, SEMA, IOM, Red Cross, traditional leaders and Ja’matul Islamic,
“However, we cannot ascertain the exact cause of the flood, but advised the people living at river bank to take precautionary measures.
NAN ,reports that on May 28, 2025, flooding caused by heavy rainfall submerged the market town of Mokwa in Niger, causing severe damage. (NAN)
