By Inusa Ndahi, Maiduguri
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the federal government under his leadership will stand with Borno and other states of the federation that have experienced flood disaster so as to cushion their immediate sufferings.
Tinubu stated this when he paid a sympathy visit to Governor Babagana Zulum, the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi and the victims of the flood disaster which has displaced over two million people, with so many lives lost and property worth billions of naira.
While addressing some of victims now taking refuge at the Government College before proceeding to the Shehu of Borno’s palace which was completely submerged, the President sympathized with the Government and good people of the state over the unfortunate incident, and prayed God Almighty to grant peace to the souls of those who lost their lives, and also forestall future occurrence.
“We are here to sympathise with you over the unfortunate flood disaster, and i want to assure Borno people and other states affected by natural disasters that the federal government will give the desired maximum support.
“I was outside the country for an official engagement when I heard of the shocking news of the flood. Already, the Vice-President has visited the state on behalf of the federal government, but I have to come all the way from America to personally sympathise with you.
” I want to commend Governor Zulum, The Shehu of Borno and all other stakeholders for their contributions”. Tinubu said.
While at the Government College, the President commiserate with the victims, and assured them that government at all levels would not forsake them, but do everything possible to rehabilitate and support them and mitigate their immediate sufferings.
Responding Governor Zulum and the Royal Father commended President Tinubu for finding time and sympathize with them at this trying moment.
“On behalf of government and the people of Borno state, we remain internally grateful to the federal government. Since the incident broke out, all National Bodies mandated to offer humanitarian assistance have been on ground and they are doing wonderfully well.
” I want to also appreciated the federal government for providing N3 billion to each of the states of the federation. We in Borno has since received our own share which we have started disbursing to vulnerable groups, and now that we have witnessed another monumental disaster, we have started using the funds judiciously in managing the incident.
“We also appreciated the federal government under your leadership for providing food and non-food items from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, NEMA, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs among others.
“We want to also appeal to the federal government to assist in reconstructing the Alau Dam with hydraulic structures to prevent future occurrence of this disaster”. Zulum stated.
Also in his response, the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi expressed his sincere gratitude to President Tinubu for the visit, and all the support extended to the traditional institutions and the victims.
Among the entourage of the President include the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Chairman Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara state, Abdurahman Abdulrazak, governors of Kogi, Bauchi, Sokoto states, some ministers and many other dignitaries.
