By Samuel
Victims of the recent ravaging floods in Jigawa State have been assured of the government’s resolve towards alleviating their pains during this trying time.
In the last weeks, floods have swept across parts of the country, tearing down farmlands, resulting in loss of properties and lives.
Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, while sympathising with victims of the flood revealed that the government has ordered relief materials to cater to their needs and ease their sufferings.
The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the governor noted, has also been directed to provide food items, medical supplies and shelters for the victims.
Abubakar made this disclosure on his visit to communities that had been badly hit by the flood in the state. He also visited the Emir of Ringim, Alhaji Dr. Sayyadi Mahmud, to commiserate with him.
Restating his administration’s support for the victims, the governor disclosed that measures were in place to ascertain the extent of the devastation on residents and farming communities.
He said, “We are going to support the victims at the state level and the data we are compiling of the affected victims, including those that lost their houses and farms to the flood, would be forwarded to the National Emergency Management Agency for further assistance.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has since ordered NEMA to intervene and support our efforts, and as you are aware the officials have visited all the communities affected and are forwarding their findings and recommendations to the president”
The Emir, in response, expressed confidence in the Abubakar-led administration, while lauding him for the gesture and show of concern towards the victims.
He said he was confident that the government would play its part in cushioning the effect of the flood on residents of affected areas.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) has assured farmers under its scheme of adequate support, following the destruction of farmlands by ravaging floods in parts of the country.
The Corporation’s Managing Director, Mrs. Folashade Joseph, who gave the assurance noted that insured farmers would only need to make a report to the Corporation before it swings into action.
By Samuel
Niger State Government has revealed that over 17,000 communities have been affected by recent floods that have swept through parts of the country, particularly in the North.
This was disclosed by the Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane over the weekend.
He said this during an on-the-spot assessment of the flooding situation in Mokwa Local Government Area of the State.
Commiserating with the victims of the disaster, Matene expressed worries over the present situation, stressing that the state government was deeply concerned with the unfortunate incident.
He added that about 60,000 people in Mokwa Local Government were affected by the devastating floods which destroyed several houses and farmlands.
In a bid to cushion the effect of the flood, the SSG said that the government has begun distributing about 2400 assorted grains as relief package to the affected communities.
He added that the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) member States have already sent the nomination to the Federal Government for the immediate take-off of the commission and management team.
This measure, Matene added, would help address the perennial challenges of flooding and other ecological hazards.
He, however, assured the people that the government would expedite action towards relocating the victims to safer communities before the end of the present administration.
By Samuel
Victims of recent flooding in Kogi State have received relief items from the First Lady of Nigeria and Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha Buhari.
The distribution of the items was facilitated by a delegation from Future Assured, a not-for-profit by the Aisha Buhari Foundation.
AgroNigeria reported that Mrs Buhari had donated assorted relief materials including 700 bags of 10kg rice and 1500 cosmetics bags to flood victims in Kebbi State.
For the Kogi exercise, the team was led by Special Assistant (SA) to President Buhari on Domestic Affairs and Event Management, Zainab Ikaz-Kassim.
Ikaz-Kassim, while distributing the items, conveyed the First Lady’s goodwill and promise of solidarity to the victims.
According to a statement from Mrs Buhari’s media aide, Aliyu Abdullahi, the team visited locations at Koton Karfe Local Government Area and parts of Lokoja Town where homes were visibly submerged.
The affected farmers were also said to have received water pumping machines to help them boost dry season farming in the state.
AgroNigeria gathered that other items distributed include rice and other food commodities, toiletries, blankets and clothing materials.
Medical palliatives given during the visit also include hand sanitisers, face masks, assorted drugs, cleaning agents, disinfectants and surgical gloves.
Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter, Mohammed Suleiman, commended the First Lady for the kind gesture.
By Samuel
The Sokoto State Government has inaugurated a high-powered committee to develop a framework on dry season farming to bridge the deficits in food production occasioned by the recent flooding in the state.
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Thursday during the inauguration said the committee would come up with a strategy to make the scheme workable.
Tambuwal gave the multi-stakeholder committee three weeks to submit its report to the state government.
The committee is headed by the Head of the Kilgori District in Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
State Commissioners for Agriculture, Environment, Animal Health and Water Resources are also members of the committee.
Other members include the General Manager of the Sokoto Agricultural Development Program (SADP), Alhaji Abubakar Malami; the Executive Chairman of the Sokoto State Commodity Board, Alhaji Adamu Muhammad Sifawa; and the Provost, College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Wurno, Professor Aminu Abubakar.
Also serving on the committee are representatives of the Sokoto State Ministry of Agriculture, the FADAMA III Project in Sokoto and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
In addition, university dons, heads of relevant departments in tertiary institutions across the state, the state civil service and other professionals bodies were selected as members of the committee.
On the other hand, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, are expected to play consultancy roles to fast-track the progress of the committee.
Speaking during the inauguration, Tambuwal further enjoined the committee to actively work on the project so as to enable the state government to send a supplementary budget on the task to the state house of assembly.
The governor assured of the state government’s readiness to fund the project, adding that additional funding, if necessary, will be sourced from stakeholders including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
In his reaction, Kilgori pledged the committee’s readiness to develop a comprehensive blueprint for the dry season farming scheme envisaged by the government.