Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday charged the Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum to accept last week’s flood disaster in the state as a challenge towards proving the innate “good leadership qualities” in his personalities at navigating challenges of unfortunate events.
Obasanjo in a message of sympathy to Governor Zulum, copies of which was made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, expressed his heartfelt sympathy with the government and people of Borno State for the huge loss of lives and property on the account of the devastating disaster.
Noting that seasonal flooding is not an uncommon occurrence in many parts of Nigeria, the former president reminded Prof. Zulum that, “It is usually in the midst of disasters of this nature that the qualities of good leadership and courage become manifest”.
“All available accounts indicated that what Borno State has just suffered was one of the most devastating incidents in recent times. This is evidenced by the magnitude of the loss of human lives, harvested food-crops, farmlands, livestock, buildings and personal effects involved.
“Permit me, therefore, to commend you and the Government of Borno State for the swiftness and efficacy with which you rose to the challenge, giving every possible support in your continued efforts to provide succour to those who have been dislocated.”
Obasanjo extended his heartfelt condolences to the Borno State government and the families of the deceased, praying the Almighty Allah to comfort and strengthen those left behind.
