In a visit to Borno State on Monday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the creation of a disaster relief fund aimed at supporting Nigerians affected by floods and other natural disasters. The announcement came during a visit to the Borno Government House, where Tinubu expressed concern over the increasing unpredictability of the climate and its impact on vulnerable communities.
“The relief fund is already necessary as the climate becomes more unpredictable, and many places in the country are vulnerable to its effects,” President Tinubu said, addressing the recent flooding caused by the overflow of the Alau Dam in Maiduguri. He urged the private sector to contribute to the fund, emphasizing the need for collective action to rebuild affected areas.
President Tinubu was accompanied by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who affirmed the National Assembly’s support in collaborating with the executive to establish the fund. “We will work together to ensure that this relief fund is implemented and that it supports those in need,” Akpabio stated.
During his visit, Tinubu met with the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi, toured an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Government Secondary School, and visited areas impacted by the disaster. He reflected on the pressing need to tackle the effects of climate change and mitigate future disasters.
“There must be a disaster relief fund. I will invite the private sector to team up with us and help rebuild the affected areas,” President Tinubu said. He further suggested that a small percentage of funds from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) could be allocated to the fund to ensure its sustainability.
The President expressed gratitude to various state governors, including Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, and Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, for their solidarity beyond party lines. He also extended his sympathy to the people of Yobe State and other regions affected by flooding.
“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,” Tinubu reassured.
In his remarks, President Tinubu praised Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Zulum for his proactive efforts in managing the crisis. He also commended the Nigerian military’s Theatre Command for their life-saving evacuation efforts and acknowledged the contributions of federal agencies like NEMA and international organisations working in the state.
“This disaster was a natural one. It was not the making of anybody. We cannot pass the blame. We pray that Almighty Allah will receive the souls of the departed and grant them eternal rest,” Tinubu said.
Governor Zulum, in his response, thanked the President for his timely visit and commended the Federal Government’s swift intervention. The Shehu of Borno also expressed gratitude for the President’s visit, urging him to investigate the cause of the Alau Dam collapse to prevent future incidents.
President Tinubu’s visit and the announcement of the disaster relief fund are seen as key steps in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters in Nigeria, with a focus on collaboration between government, private sector, and international partners.
