President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday visited Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on a sympathy visit to the victims of last Tuesday‘s flood that killed 37 persons, destroyed property worth billions of naira and rendered over one million Maiduguri and Jere local government residents homeless.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sympathised with the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi, whose palace was overtaken by the flood disaster in Maiduguri last Tuesday, which resulted from the collapse of Alau Dam.
The President also visited Government College Maiduguri, one of the 36 temporary camps created by the State government for the flood victims, assuring them that the federal government would support them in tackling the challenges they are facing as a result of the incident.
LEADERSHIP reports that the flood disaster killed at least 37 persons and destroyed goods and property worth billions of naira. The three major markets in Maiduguri—the popular Monday Market, the Gamoru Cattle and Foodstuff Market, and the Budum Market at the back of the Shehu of Borno‘s palace—were submerged, and livestock and goods were washed away. In addition, over one million residents were displaced.
At the Camp in Government College, President Tinubu assured the displaced persons that his government would support them. He said, “ Leaders of our communities, I greet you. I just came to associate myself with you. We will continue to pray for you. We will continue to support you.
President Tinubu, who from the camp visited the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi, told the Monarch that he had come to sympathise with him over the flood that looked over his palace.
Continuing, he said,“ I am just here to sympathise with you. I know that the flood overtook your palace. I heard the report. My Vice President gave me details, but personally, I have to cut off my trip to America and decided to be with you, even if it is for five minutes, to share the moment.
I thank you very much for your leadership. We will pay attention to this issue of flood and help Borno State. I have seen Governor Zulum‘s commitment across the board since the flood incident. „
He commended Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for staying behind Zulum at this trying moment despite coming from the opposition party, adding that it is what is expected of Nigerians.
The Governor of Bauchi here is of a different party, and this is what is expected of Nigerians. Thank you very much; I appreciate that. Our diversity should be used for stability and prosperity.
We, as a government, pledge to help you tackle the challenges resulting from this flood. It‘s our problem, not just your problem. We must share each other‘s problems,“ President Tinubu said.
In his remarks, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum appreciated President Tinubu for coming to sympathise with the people of Borno over the flood incident.
Zulum recalled that Tinubu‘s relationship with the people of Borno dated back to when he had not become president and recalled the president‘s contribution to the people of the state during the Zabaramari massacre, where Boko Haram terrorists killed over 100 rice farmers.
“Be assured that in the people of Borno, you have a dependable ally, „ the Governor said.
The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi, thanked President Tinubu for visiting Borno to show support and commiserate with the flood disaster victims.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, and other aides of President Tinubu were in the entourage.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was at the Maiduguri Air Force Base to receive the President, having been in Maiduguri earlier on the day to inspect police facilities affected by the flood.
Also, the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak; the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed; the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo; Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu were as well at the Air Force Base to receive the President.
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