President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Borno State on Monday, where he announced the creation of a disaster relief fund to assist Nigerian citizens affected by recent floods and other natural disasters. The President made the announcement at the Borno Government House during a visit to sympathize with the state’s government and residents over the flooding from the Alau Dam.
The newly established relief fund aims to address the escalating challenges posed by unpredictable climate conditions and provide financial support for disaster recovery efforts. President Tinubu emphasized the urgency of the fund, noting the increasing vulnerability of many regions in Nigeria to climate-induced disasters.
Accompanied by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who pledged that the National Assembly would work closely with the executive to establish the fund, President Tinubu urged private sector contributions to bolster the initiative.
During his visit, the President toured several affected areas, including the Shehu of Borno’s palace, an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Government Secondary School in Maiduguri, and various disaster-stricken neighborhoods. Reflecting on the impact of the floods and the broader effects of climate change, President Tinubu declared the necessity of a dedicated disaster relief fund and invited private sector partners to join in rebuilding efforts.
“If we take a small percentage from FAAC and allocate it to the disaster relief fund, we will activate and strengthen our collective sense of responsibility,” President Tinubu stated.
He expressed gratitude to several governors, including Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State, and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State, for their solidarity and support beyond party lines.
The President also extended his condolences and support to the people of Yobe State and other flood-affected regions. He acknowledged the efforts of Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State and the Theatre Command of the Nigerian military for their prompt evacuation operations, which helped save many lives.
“Professor Zulum has been an active governor, and we will stand by you, Borno State, sharing the burden of recovery,” President Tinubu affirmed. He prayed for the souls of those who perished and expressed hope that the Almighty Allah would grant them eternal rest and forgiveness.
In his address, President Tinubu commended the ministries, agencies, and security forces involved in the relief efforts, particularly highlighting the contributions of the military and international organizations working in the state.
Governor Babagana Zulum thanked President Tinubu for the visit and recognized the timely intervention of federal agencies, notably the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the military’s Theatre Command. At the palace, Shehu Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi expressed appreciation for the President’s visit and called for an investigation into the cause of the Alau Dam collapse to prevent future occurrences.
TONY EMEKA NWOSU
