President Bola Tinubu arrived in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, on Monday to express his sympathy and support following a major flood disaster.
He landed at 3:40 pm and visited an emergency camp where flood victims are being sheltered.
Upon landing at Maiduguri International Airport, President Tinubu was welcomed by Governor Babagan Zulum and other officials.
During his visit, President Tinubu reassured the displaced people that his government would provide help. He said, “I want to assure you that we will support you. We will help you. God bless you.”
The President was accompanied by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Agriculture Abubakar Kyari, and Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was also present at Maiduguri Air Force Base to welcome the President and had earlier inspected police facilities affected by the flood.
Other dignitaries at the welcome included Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State; Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State; Ahmed Ododo, Governor of Kogi State; and Ahmed Aliyu, Governor of Sokoto State.
The National Emergency Management Agency reported that the flood began when the Alau Dam overflowed due to heavy rains, causing the worst flooding in Maiduguri in 30 years. NEMA stated that over 23,000 households were affected after the dam on the Ngadda River, located 20 km south of Maiduguri, ruptured over the weekend.
According to NEMA, 70 percent of Maiduguri was submerged by the floodwaters, which have now receded. Major landmarks affected include the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Umar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi; the state secretariat; the post office; the cemetery; and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. The flood also destroyed 80 percent of the animals at the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo and damaged homes, schools, and commercial and worship centers.
President Tinubu had previously expressed deep concern over the flood and urged government agencies to speed up rescue efforts. He also called for the immediate evacuation of residents from the flood-affected areas.
