National News
TEARS FOR MY PEOPLE IN BORNO AND ANGER AT THE RAGING WATERS OF ALAU DAM
TEARS FOR MY PEOPLE IN BORNO AND ANGER AT THE RAGING WATERS OF ALAU DAM
By: Inuwa Bwala
A similar thing happened thirty years ago, precisely on the 4th of September, 1994; if I am not mistaken.
To date, nobody could give the exact number of human casualties, while the material loss was put at over a hundred million naira, conservatively.
Thirty years ago, the technology to predict such disasters were as not as sophisticated as today’s, but the media then had reported extensively of an impending flood in Maiduguri.
Long before the rains came this time around, weather forecasts point to the possibility of irregular patterns of rainfall, which could result into floods across 22 states in Nigeria.
Borno being amongst the 22 states likely to be affected by floods took some steps to avert the disaster or at least mitigate it’s effects.
Only two weeks ago, the State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum directed for the activation of all state government machineries to arrest possible disasters arising from the envisaged flood.
The Borno State Geographic Information Service, BOGIS, has been busy clearing buildings across water ways, and insisting on creating a free flow of water for the river Gadambul, which had hitherto been the source of previous floods.
But while the Government and Borno citizens were looking in another direction, the floods came from a less envisaged angle: the Alau dam, on the outskirts of the ancient city.
Reminiscent of the 4th September 1994 flood disaster in the ancient city, the floods came with the ferocity of a storm.
Most residents were caught napping as the flood creeped in while they were still sleeping.
As happened in the past, nobody may be able to give the exact number of casualties, as most families are still taking stock of their loss, at the time of writting.
Media reports indicate that over 40% of the city has been submerged by the flood, with vital facilities affected.
At the last count, the Shehu’s palace, the main cemetery at Gwange, the University of Naiduguri Teaching Hospital, the Maiduguri new Prisons, Mosques and Churches, business areas and private residences have been affected.
The Sanda Kyarimi park is not spared, with wild animals either perished or dangerously prowling in the waters.
Reports say inmates may have escaped from the Correctional facilities and definitely dead bodies in the cemetry will be washed up to the surface.
I was moved with pity as I watched the Vice President Kashim Shettima navigating through the flood to assess the situation and give assurances to people, that, the Federal Government will collaborate with the Borno State Government to provide succour.
More pitiable are the hundreds of thousands of residents, who have moved to higher grounds, or could be seen squatting by the flowing water.
Many people were not lucky to have rescued food items, clothing and beddings.
Most, if not all of them are not sure of their next meal, nor where to lay their heads.
Children could be seen clinging to the aprons and wrappers of their struggling parents, crying from hunger. The parents themselves look confused as to how to comfort the weeping kids.
Nobody knows how the situation will be like in the night, when the heavens are likely to open up again for the drowning rains.
Movements are almost impossible for rescue efforts by Governmen, as the water volume continued increasing, by the hours.
It was a situation of what the Hebrews call “balagan”.
Upto the afternoon of Tuesday, the situation did not seem to be abbating.
The Alau dam, which supplies drinking water to most parts of Maiduguri metropolis is becoming a curse, and the water the people used to drink seems to be angry with the people.
Clerics are calling for prayers, government has ordered for immediate evacuation, the Army, the Fire Service, FRSC and other aid agencies have been fully mobilized to assist in the evacuation and resettlement, while the citizen are crying that help us not coming fast enough.
Coming at a time Borno state citizens are begining to smile that life is gradually normalizing from years of displacement and disillusionment from Boko Haram insurgency, one cannot help but pity and share in the feelings of disappointment by the state Governor, Babagaba Umara Zulum.
The waters may soon recede and as happened before the hitherto dry gutters of Maiduguri shall turn to fishing ponds
TEARS FOR MY PEOPLE IN BORNO AND ANGER AT THE RAGING WATERS OF ALAU DAM
National News
Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro
Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro
•••Says 4500 Students Deployed In Varsities In Nigeria In 2025
By: Michael Mike
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has said that President Bola Tinubu is happy with the significant achievements recorded by the agency in the Niger Delta in about two years.
He spoke at the flag-off of the fourth batch of the two-day “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation Training for PAP Stakeholders” organised by the agency in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, on Monday.
The PAP had in July and August 2025 successfully conducted a similar capacity-building workshop for three batches of its stakeholders at the same military facility.
Otuaro, who said the President is delighted with the agency’s expanded scholarship scheme, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta, urged stakeholders to maintain their position as key players in the region’s peace and development.
According to him, His Excellency, President Tinubu is very supportive of the programme because of his strong desire for the region to enjoy sustainable peace, stability and development.
He reiterated that the workshop is a vital component of the PAP’s peace process with all stakeholders as important partners in the peace initiative.
He stressed that the participants are not only partners for peace, but also the President’s peace ambassadors.
The PAP boss also applauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his strategic support to strengthen the programme’s initiatives and enable it to achieve the intended objectives for the people of the region.
While declaring the workshop open, Otuaro said, “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, is very happy with what we have achieved so far in one year and nine months. As stakeholders, you should continue to be key players in the peace and development of the Niger Delta, which His Excellency has been very supportive of and desirous of.
“The objective behind this training is to ensure that all of us are partners in every peace effort in the Niger Delta. This initiative is also to give you a sense of belonging.
“When we organised this workshop in July and August this year, we assured stakeholders that more people would also participate in the training. We don’t want to do the PAP’s work alone. It is a process of putting our heads together to ensure that the region is peaceful and united. When we are united, Mr President will do more for the region.
“We must also realise that peace starts from our communities; you all are leaders in your own rights. I know and acknowledge the support that the Office has received since we came on board. This leadership workshop is part of our peacebuilding process and is designed to ensure that peace is sustained in our region.
“Since we came on board, we have redirected the Programme towards our people and for the next generation. We have achieved a lot. This 2025-2026 academic session, we have sent 4,500 students, our future leaders, on scholarships to universities within Nigeria. We are doing this to invest in the future of our region.”
Otuaro said that his leadership would not be distracted by the smear campaign of some anti-Niger Delta elements who were angry that the programme had been taken to the people of the region, saying “nobody will hold the region to ransom.”
He further urged stakeholders not to be manipulated by political merchants, but to massively support President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid because of his clear agenda for the region.
Otuaro enjoined the stakeholders to participate actively in the workshop and utilise the lessons they would gain to strengthen peace and development in their communities and the Niger Delta in general.
He also expressed appreciation to the management of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, resource persons, and the President of AANDEC, Rear Admiral Ndidi Agholor (retd.), for partnering with the PAP to deepen the peace process in the region.
Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro
National News
NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members
NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members
By: Michael Mike
The DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote has approved the promotion of 523 Staff of the Commission.
The promotion, according to a statement on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Adegoke said: “This is a statutory part of the performance reward system for Staff who sat and met the pre-requisite conditions as spelt out in the Public Service Rules (PSR) in the 2025 promotion exercise.
He disclosed that accordingly, two staff members were promoted to the Director’s cadre (GL 17), and eight staff members moved to the Deputy Director cadre (GL 16) and 35 staff staff members promoted to the Assistant Director cadre (GL 15).
He further disclosed that 35 staff were promoted to the level of Chief Identity Officers (GL 14), with 109 moving to Assistant Chief Identity Officers (GL 13).
Adegoke said 113 officers moved to the rank of Principal Identity Officer (GL 12), while 82 were promoted to Senior Identity Officer ranks (GL 10), and 130 to the rank of Identity Officer 1 ( GL 9).
The DG/CEO congratulated all the promoted staff and charged them to see the promotion as an opportunity to serve the country better. She reiterated zero tolerance for extortion and warned staff to desist from it.
Engr Coker-Odusote, furthermore, encouraged all staff members of the Commission to work harder in the coming year 2026 and ensure the successful implementation of the National Identification Number project. She reiterated her commitment to prioritise staff welfare and ensure the dignity of labour.
NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members
National News
VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67
VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has congratulated Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, on his 67th birthday, saying his exemplary and progressive leadership within the All Progressives Congress (APC), his state, and the nation at large is worthy of emulation.
He noted that as Chairman of the PGF, an umbrella body of Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uzodimma has demonstrated exceptional capacity to unite and galvanise the party’s Governors towards achieving a collective vision for Nigeria’s development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Vice President on Saturday, described the age of 67 as an important milestone in the life of Uzodimma, noting that the special moment reflects how far the Governor has come, and sets the stage for what lies ahead.
Acknowledging how Uzodimma’s “exemplary leadership as Executive Governor of Imo State continues to inspire confidence and progress,” VP Shettima described the PGF Chairman as a committed servant of Nigeria.
“Your recent appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Renewed Hope Ambassador is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication to the ideals of our administration and your proven ability to articulate and champion the transformative agenda of the Renewed Hope mandate across our nation,” the VP told the Governor.
This singular honour, Senator Shettima said, reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in Governor Uzodimma’s leadership and commitment to national progress.
He observed that the Imo State Governor’s strategic governance, infrastructural achievements, and dedication to the prosperity of his state exemplify the progressive leadership Nigeria needs at this crucial time.
The Vice President prayed the Almighty God to grant Governor Uzodimma continued wisdom, good health, and strength to sustain his “remarkable service to Imo State and Nigeria.”
VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67
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