By Olubunmi Omoogun – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he will, as a matter of urgency, set up a relief mechanism in order to ensure that vulnerable people are taken care of after natural disasters such as the one that devastated Borno State, north east Nigeria.
He announced a disaster relief fund on Monday at the Borno Government House Maiduguri, Borno State, while on a sympathy visit to the state to commiserate with the government and people of Borno State over the recent flooding from Alau Dam.
The President said that the planned funds will assist Nigerian citizens impacted by floods and other disasters.
President Tinubu said, “There must be a disaster relief fund. I will invite the private sector to team up with us and help rebuild the affected areas.
“If we take a small percentage from FAAC and put it as a disaster relief fund, which will include all of you, we will be activating and strengthening our sense of belonging,” he said.
According to a press release by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President said the relief fund is already expedient as the climate becomes more unpredictable and many places in the country are vulnerable to its vagaries.
He reached out to the private sector to support this idea and contribute to the fund.
The President of the Senate His Excellency, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, who accompanied the President on the visit, said the National Assembly will collaborate with the executive to establish the Fund.
The press release from Mr. Onanuga further notes that Tinubu visited the Shehu of Borno, an Internally Displaced Persons camp at the Government Secondary School in Maiduguri and had a drive-through of the areas affected by the disaster.
President Tinubu said: “After my visit to the Shehu of Borno and the IDP camp, I have been reflecting on how to tackle this kind of disaster and the effects of climate change.
The President thanked Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who is also Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu; and Kogi State governor Ahmed Usman Ododo; and other governors who look beyond party lines to bear the burdens of others.
He said that Nigeria’s diversity should spur prosperity.
The President extended his sympathy to the government, the people of Yobe State, and all the states affected by flooding and pledged his government’s continued support for victims of natural disasters.
“For all the people of Yobe State, I sympathise with you. We will create an outstanding programme for Nigeria to recover from this calamity. We will build our nation together,” the President stated.
The President commended the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, for prompt intervention and the Theatre Command of the Nigerian military for the evacuation that saved many lives.
“I am glad that Prof. Zulum has been a very active governor. Let me assure you that we will be with you, Borno State and share the burden.
“This disaster was a natural one. It was not the making of anybody. We cannot pass the blame. We pray that the Almighty Allah will receive the souls of the departed and grant them eternal rest.
“May God also overlook their shortcomings and misdeeds on earth,” he added.
President Tinubu commended all the ministries, agencies, and security outfits, particularly the military, involved in evacuation and relief and recognised the international organisations working in the state.
The Governor of Borno State thanked the President for the visit and commended the prompt intervention of Federal Government agencies, particularly National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the military’s Theatre Command, in evacuating stranded victims.
At the palace, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi, thanked the President for the honour of visiting the state after the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, had earlier represented him.
The Shehu of Borno urged the President to investigate the cause of the Alua dam collapse and overflow into the town to prevent a recurrence.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will continue to put the welfare of the people in Nigeria first while also working tirelessly to improve the country’s energy crisis as well as stabilize the Naira against foreign currencies.
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